David King is “super confident” Melbourne defeats Carlton and then Brisbane to wrap back around to the 2023 AFL Grand Final, despite an early setback in the first week of finals.
Dominance in several key statistics wasn’t enough to see the Demons triumph Collingwood, with an efficiency inside 50 of just 33 per cent leading Melbourne to kick just seven goals for the game.
It’s set to be Simon Goodwin’s biggest concern heading into Friday’s semi-final against Carlton, with Jacob Van Rooyen’s suspension doing his side no favours.
King called on Goodwin to allow Christian Petracca - who went goalless against the Pies - to spend more time forward.
“There’s been a reluctance to use Petracca forward as the answer because they’ve wanted him in the midfielder. But I still think he’s their only way forward, you have to find another midfield option,” the dual-premiership Kangaroo began earlier this week on SEN’s Whateley.
“I think (Bayley) Fritsch and Petracca are their only two natural forwards. If they are to move forward, Petracca has to be a three or four-goal kicker… they brain them at contest anyway between the arcs, so how many assets do you want to blow in one area?
“You’ve got (Clayton) Oliver back in good health, (Jack) Viney is up and firing, do you really need Petracca in there? I think you can have a third player that’s a bit younger, (Tom) Sparrow has been very good, (James) Jordan could come back in.”
Goodwin post-game suggested Angus Brayshaw’s head knock in the first term required a change of plans and saw Petracca spend more time in the middle.
The 2021 Norm Smith Medallist has kicked 27 goals across in 2023 and has had multiple shots on goal in his last 11 home and away games.
But as King notes, there was no doubt emotional implications for the Demons players seeing long-time teammate Brayshaw go down with another concussion.
“The loss of Brayshaw is really significant here… he’s been a big performer in big games. When they went on their run in 2021, he was really important. Changing things in game with that sort of loss is tough, I think there’s of fair bit to play out emotionally with that too,” he added.
“They (Melbourne players) see their man, who they know has had head trauma in the past, go down like that and be stretchered off. You can’t just move past that.”
Nevertheless, King has faith that Melbourne aren’t finished in 2023.
Games against the Blues at the MCG and Brisbane at the Gabba stand in the way of a second premiership in three years.
“I’m super confident they wrap back around. I’m not giving up on Melbourne winning the flag because I still think Max Gawn was able to show again why he’s the biggest individual left in September and the way he plays is impossible to stop, no matter how you go,” he explained.
“There’s still a lot to like for Melbourne, they are still true to themselves and I understand everyone will jump off because of their inability to score… I think that can correct.”
Goodwin’s side has a 1-1 record against Carlton this year, while they lost to the Lions narrowly in Brisbane before pulling off a herculean comeback against them in Round 18.
Should they advance past the Blues, Melbourne wil play Brisbane at the Gabba for a spot in this year's Grand Final.