JACK BACK AND PRIMED FOR FINALS
MELBOURNE are expecting Jack Viney at his ferocious best when he returns to lead the Demons into their sudden-death AFL clash with Geelong.
Viney is a certain starter for tomorrow night’s elimination final at the MCG, having been sidelined with a foot injury since Round 16 – one of just seven appearances for the season.
The finals cauldron is hardly the ideal setting to bring back a player with such little game time under his belt, but then again, Viney is no ordinary player.
Coach Simon Goodwin yesterday declared the fearless onballer was fully fit and capable of adjusting to any level of intensity, while Nathan Jones said he had never seen his co-captain better prepared to go into battle.
“His best takes us to a whole new level, particularly around the footy,” Jones said. “There was a plan put in place five or six weeks ago for him to accumulate enough training with confidence to bring him back in for a game like this and he’s ready to go. Expect pretty ferocious intensity from him around the footy.”
Viney’s return and a shoulder injury to Dean Kent will force at least one change for the Dees but Dom Tyson appears likely to retain his place after training fully on Tuesday, less than two weeks after he fractured the ulna bone in his arm.
The Demons remain hopeful Kent could return later in the finals, while Mitch Hannan, Joel Smith and Jayden Hunt are others in the selection frame.
Goodwin confirmed Sam Frost would get first crack at minding the in-form Tom Hawkins, who booted seven goals during the Cats’ afterthe-siren victory over Melbourne in Round 18 while matched up primarily on Oscar McDonald.
“Sam and Oscar will share that role at times but primarily Sam will get that role,” Goodwin said.
“He’s an important player for us, Sam.”