Demons recall Ben Brown to face Power
Ben Brown #BenBrown
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin hopes a confident and fit Ben Brown will help solve his team’s recent scoring woes, starting with Thursday night’s AFL clash with Port Adelaide.
The Demons have booted totals of 63, 68 and 55 points in their past three games – two of which have been losses.
Melbourne’s return of 7.13 in last week’s shock nine-point loss to GWS led to calls for former Kangaroos star Brown to be recalled, and Goodwin has responded.
Brown arrived at the Demons at the end of last season nursing a knee injury and it meant he was still below par when he played from rounds 7-9.
The 28-year-old has steadily built form and fitness in the VFL since and proved he was ready for an AFL recall with a five-goal haul a fortnight ago.
Brown will combine with Bayley Fritsch and Tom McDonald against the Power at Adelaide Oval, with Goodwin confident it will help Melbourne regain their groove in attack.
“When you reflect on last week’s game, kicking 55 points just isn’t enough,” Goodwin said.
“Ben provides us a great option. He’s an experienced player who is a proven goal kicker.
“We know the way we defend we don’t have to kick really big scores, but we need to score more than 55.”
Goodwin said Brown’s body was in a much better space than earlier in the season when he kicked five goals in three games before being dropped.
“He had his knee surgery last year and also in the preseason. He missed a lot of footy,” Goodwin said.
“When he came into the team the first time, he hadn’t played a lot of footy. He played three or four in the VFL, but he had missed a really good chunk of training.
“What he’s been able to do in the last six or seven weeks is get some continuity in his body, get some continuity in his training and his playing.
“Speaking to Ben, he’s really confident in his body and being prepared to play at an AFL level and perform.
“When a player is coming to you saying that, it gives you a lot of belief as a coach that he’s in a great frame of mind and wants to impact the team. In his own words, he’s ready to go.”