Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
At times like this, it helps to remember what has brought Melbourne to the AFL’s first wildcard weekend.
Carlton, riding their 11 wins and a draw from 14 games under new coach Josh Fraser, are smelling blood heading into Saturday night’s clash at the MCG.
The Demons are coming off an upset loss to the Western Bulldogs. They are without suspended forward Jacob van Rooyen, plus Jake Lever and Matthew Jefferson are injured.
For all his many qualities, recalling Jack Viney for his first senior game this season is a risk. Christian Salem is out of form and has been dropped..
But as forward Bayley Fritsch notes, Melbourne have won 15 games this season under new coach Steven King.
They, like the Blues, are alive for a reason.
“Although against the Doggies we had a bit of a lull, our game is in great shape. We know it stacks up,” Fritsch told AAP.
“We don’t want to look too much into the Doggies game, obviously it was very disappointing.
“We’ve had a look at some clips, but we have quickly moved on.
“This week we’ve had a really clear focus about what works for us … we’re not making it up, the numbers are there.”
Fritsch also noted that when the Demons have had a bad game this season, it has not turned into a slump. They have lost two-straight only once.
It is only three games since they had probably the win of the season over Fremantle.
And while van Rooyen’s absence hurts, they also have been without fellow forward Brody Mihocek since his season-ending injury on King’s Birthday.
Fritsch and his fellow Demons forwards have made a habit of getting the job done this year.
“That’s probably the power of our forward line, we don’t rely on one or two guys,” he said.
“We’ve had plenty of guys come up and kick two, three goals and the next week, they might not kick one.
“Although it would be great to have those players out there this week, we have a bit of a peace of mind, knowing we don’t rely on them.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing who’s going to bob up on Saturday night.”
Melbourne have not won a final since their drought-breaking 2021 premiership. They are in the finals for the first time since their straight-sets exits from 2022 and 2023.
But Fritsch again can point to the evidence – a new coach and a new-look team that has much better connection going into attack.
“I’m not going to read too much into that … what I will say, it’s just a great opportunity for the guys who are going to come out onto the MCG and we’re going to put our Demons footy strengths on show,” he said.
“We’ve had a 15-win season and we’re in a great spot.”
