ASSISTANT coach Ben Mathews says Melbourne is ready for the challenges that will be presented when it takes on the Gold Coast Suns at TIO Traeger Park on Saturday afternoon.

The stoppages/contest coach said Melbourne was determined to bounce back strongly, after last round’s loss to North Melbourne, and before the mid-season bye.

“It’s a big ground and it’s usually pretty warm, so we need to make sure that we’re controlling the ball around the contest,” he told melbournefc.com.au.  

“Gold Coast’s form has been a little bit up-and-down, but a few weeks ago they had a really good win against Geelong. Over in China, Port outplayed them, but we’re planning for Gold Coast’s best.

“Their ability to win the contest, and run and move the ball quickly, particularly to their tall forwards is very dangerous, and we need to control that contest area. We can’t let them get too much supply to their dangerous forwards.”

Mathews said Melbourne’s make-shift ruckmen were doing a fine job against the odds.

“Cam Pedersen is competing super hard all the time. He’s doing a terrific job in the ruck. Whoever’s been in the ruck for us, whether it’s been Tom [McDonald], Cam or Jack Watts, they’ve all actually competed really hard and their focus is to follow-up on ground level. They’re doing a good job,” he said.

“Our mids are learning a different skill set of reading opposition rucks and putting really strong pressure on the opposition. But our challenge gets no easier against Jarrod Witts and big Peter Wright. They’re second in the comp for hit outs to advantage so that presents a challenge. We’re going to have to be right on our game.

“They’ve got enough good mids that if you don’t get your craft right around the stoppages, and you’re not competing at the required level, they can really score from that area of the ground.”

Mathews, who was coached by Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade at the Sydney Swans, said the much-experienced coach had evolved as coach, and was still a top tactician.

“There’s a big difference in terms of the way ‘Rocket’ [Eade] coaches now compared to the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The game has changed and Rocket’s changed,” he said.

“He’s a tactical coach and generally manipulates the opposition to get what he wants. But in saying that, you know, he’ll be focusing on his team a hell of a lot more than what we do.

“Their stoppage work in the ruck, with big Peter Wright in the ruck, has been really effective. Down back, Steven May is an All-Australian quality defender, so our forwards are going to eed to be on their game.”