Latest news with #JacobVanRooyen
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Melbourne will continue to explore playing star midfielder forward of the ball
Melbourne will continue to explore hard-nosed midfielder Jack Viney as a forward option in the back-end of its floundering 2025 season. Viney played his first game back from concussion and a broken hand prior to last weekend's bye. That bye came at a good time for the Demons after losses to St Kilda, Collingwood and Port Adelaide. Melbourne has struggled to be an offensive force at times this season, kicking more goals than points in just five matches. But coach Goodwin sees 'scope to develop' Viney as another option closer to goal despite the left-footer's modest career goal tally (68). 'He's had one game back in the team, the first priority for Jack was to get him back in the team, he's our vice-captain and a really important player,' Goodwin said of Viney, who attended 17 centre bounces against the Power. 'We will continue to explore not only him as a midfielder but him as a forward. We think he's got great scope to develop in both areas. 'That's where we'll continue to put him.' Young forward Jacob van Rooyen was recalled to the senior side after a stint in the reserves but has struggled to make waves across the past fortnight. Goodwin said Melbourne was committed to supporting van Rooyen, who was 'in a bit of a cycle' with his form. 'He's certainly improved in some aspects of his game and he's still got a lot to work on,' he said. 'We're still working with a young key forward that's developing his game. It's competitive for spots, you look at a Matthew Jefferson who is playing really strong footy at the VFL level. 'He's certainly pressing his claims to come in. We've got some developing key forwards – they take time, they go on their own little journey about their development. 'Sometimes it's you're in, you play, you stay; sometimes you're in, you play, you go out, you learn, you grow, you get better, you come back in. 'Jacob is in a bit of that cycle right now. We're committed to making him the best player he can possibly be – he's still growing and still got things to work on.' The congested the ladder means the Demons could slip into the bottom four with a poor loss to Gold Coast this weekend or surge as high as 10th with a strong win.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Melbourne ‘clearly' need plans to limit Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner
The challenger is undetermined but the challenge is as clear as day. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says the Demons must 'clearly' invest significant time into Sydney stars Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney this Sunday. The dynamic and destructive duo ran amok last week, pulling the Swans over a fast-starting Carlton at the SCG. While Goodwin remains unsure whether he will turn to a rejuvenated Clayton Oliver for the task at hand, he knows the Demons must nullify the skilful pair of Swans. 'We're going to work that out later today, but clearly they're got some guys who are having a huge impact on the game,' he said. 'They've also got some other damaging players in different positions, so we need to be really clear on our strategy. 'Clearly, we're going to have to have plans for (Isaac) Heeney and (Chad) Warner, they're two guys who are having a significant impact on the game. 'We've loved what (Oliver) has been able to do, he's invested in what the team is about, that's first and foremost, and he's growing his game off the back of that. 'We're going to sit down and work what's best in that space, but we're loving what Clayton is doing.' Fresh off a strong win over Brisbane, the Demons haven't rushed to re-employ spearhead Jacob van Rooyen. Van Rooyen had a shaky start to his third season and has struggled to work his way back into the senior side. Goodwin says van Rooyen remains in Melbourne's long-term vision and is urging a sense of patience towards his progression. 'He's a key forward that's developing his game,' he said. 'There's not too many dominant key forwards his age that are having as much impact as he's been able to have in his first 45 games of footy. 'He's going through a little patch at the moment where he's growing his game to a different level. 'We've got really huge belief he's going to be able to do that and take our footy club forward – he's going to be a Melbourne player for a long, long time. 'Everyone will look at the short term and where it is right now. He's a part of our long-term future and he's going to be a big part of it moving forward.'
