David King was impressed with what he saw after watching Melbourne compete in an intra-club match.
King says the scratch match was “incredibly contested” as several big names were involved in big “body on body” hits.
“I know we talk about Melbourne a lot, their training is incredibly contested, they do ball movement drill after ball movement drill and it’s full power,” King told SEN Afternoons.
“We saw a couple of big clashes today, you just close your eyes and hope, (Michael) Hibberd was in a clash, (Christian) Petracca another, Kozzie Pickett was involved in another body on body – you don’t like to see it, but you’ve got to experience this stage of preparation.”
With former Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy joining via trade in the off-season, the Demons could have a lethal duo at the centre-bounce with the 28-year-old partnering Max Gawn.
While hopes are high for Grundy, King believes his first pre-season with the club has been a shock to the system as he adapts to running drills.
“He’s an interesting one Brodie, you watch him in the running drills, and you don’t expect him near the front of the running pack as a ruckman, but it does strike you how far away he is from the average Melbourne player or runner, that includes Max Gawn and the other ruckmen, the other talls,” King said.
“I think it has probably been a bit of a shock to Brodie’s system how hard Melbourne go at everything.
“I don’t know whether he’s gifted in terms of long-distance running or not, but it is a bit of a shock to the system seeing him separated from those guys.”
Given he’s only just arrived at the club, King was none the wiser to how Gawn and Grundy will operate as a tandem as they’re yet to play together in an official game.
“In terms of where they’re going to play, there’s still no real idea given from Simon Goodwin,” King said.
“They were on opposing teams today, not necessarily playing ruck against one another, Brodie was playing a little bit forward and Max a little forward as well.
“It’s just going to be a wait-and-see for all of us … we may not even know until deep into the season.”
One name that King has penned for a big role is untried youngster Jacob Van Rooyen.
While the first-round pick didn’t make his AFL debut in his first season with the club, King believes he’s a “walk-up starter” in 2023.
“He trained today, he’s obviously become their focal point down forward,” King said.
“I think he’ll play Round 1, Jacob Van Rooyen for me would be a walk-up starter,
“If you’re looking to expose some fresh talent, I think that’d be where you would start.”
Melbourne open their 2023 campaign with a Round 1 clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on March 18.