THE DEES will be faced with a number of selection decisions this week as they prepare to travel interstate to face the in-form Adelaide.
Following a couple of injuries out of Melbourne's Round 14 win over Essendon, Steven King has said the club's AFL match committee will look at all options ahead of what is set to be a challenge against the Crows on Saturday.
Hear more from King's Round 15 preview below.
TOP FOUR STANDING
“I really don't look too much at the ladder, it's more around how we're travelling and how we're evolving,” King said.
“I think it probably speaks to all the work the staff and players have put in to this point, but there's some quality teams nipping at our heels, so we can't really sit back and enjoy it.
“We've got some big tests coming up and no bigger than this week over in Adelaide.”
ON ADELAIDE
“Adelaide Oval against the Crows this week, they’ve hit really good form and they've got their best players back in the team playing extraordinary football,” King said.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play a great team away and it’ll be a finals-like atmosphere for us.
“It's a great opportunity to test ourselves against a team that's really strong in the contest. Their pressure game’s elite, so we're going to find a bit out about ourselves.
“But as we've done all year, I think our players have stepped up and embraced the challenge and opportunities that present in front of us and this is going to be another great opportunity for us.”
ON HARRISON PETTY
"It's not too serious, he'll miss this week, which is unfortunate because I've loved the way he's attacked,” King said.
“He’s been swinging for us both ends but up forward, the way he's been competing, he's been really combative and the presence he's provided for us [has been great].
“So that'll be a bit of a blow but will provide an opportunity for someone else.
“Hopefully with the bye next week, he misses just this one, but we'll see.”
ON SELECTION OPPORTUNITIES
“We've got options,” King said.
“In the VFL, [Matthew] Jefferson kicked five goals in a half, that was really promising. He went back and responded the way we like all young players to do and dominated at the state league level.
“We can maybe float a few more through there, whether we play two rucks and put [Max Gawn] forward for a bit.
“We’ll sit down as a match committee later this afternoon and look at some options, but the beauty is that we're starting to get some consistency at the level below now, players putting their hand up for selection, it's good to have some options.”
