Melbourne has left star ruck recruit Brodie Grundy out of its team for Friday night’s game against Brisbane.
It’s understood the Demons are trialling one specialist ruck (Max Gawn) and will use Jacob Van Rooyen to assist him.
Melbourne’s VFL team has a bye this weekend, so unless there is a last-minute change of heart, Grundy will not play at all this weekend.
It’s unclear whether the Demons will concede the ex-Pie has been omitted, or list him as ‘rested’ or ‘managed’.
Channel 7 journalist Mitch Cleary first put the possibility of a Grundy-less Melbourne on the agenda on Wednesday night, reporting there was “less than a 50-50 chance” he would play against the Lions.
SEN.com.au can confirm Grundy has been told he will not play.
Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin was coy when quizzed on the topic.
“He’s coming off two-six day breaks,” Chaplin said to RSN radio on Thursday morning.
“Whether we want to go down that path, but he’s ready to go. He trained the other day with no problems at all.
“It’s just a call we have to make as a coaching group.”
The combination of Grundy and Gawn was spruiked by Melbourne as an element which could set the team apart from its rivals.
Although both rucks have had solid years and it’s worked well at times, the plan has not quite worked to its full potential yet.
Grundy has played 16 senior games, while Gawn has managed just 13 thanks to a knee injury that saw him miss three weeks.
With seven games left, sources say the Dees coaching panel would like to see how different things look with Gawn and Van Rooyen shouldering the ruck load.
The 29-year-old was traded to Melbourne for Pick 27. He had five years remaining on a lucrative contract at Collingwood and although he wanted to stay, saw the writing on the wall.
He won Collingwod’s best and fairest and was named in the All-Australian team in 2018 and 2019.
A win for Melbourne on Friday night would keep it in touch with the top three.