Jake Spencer has given Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin an early selection headache after the bearded ruckman booted three goals in Thursday night's 25-point loss to West Coast in Perth.
Spencer failed to play an AFL match last season, with a foot injury keeping him out initially, before Max Gawn's hot form ensured there was no room for a second ruckman.
But Goodwin is now seriously considering employing a two-ruck policy for the round-one clash with St Kilda following a series of promising displays by Spencer during the pre-season.
"He's been pretty impressive in the three games he's played," Goodwin said.
"It's the dynamic we've got to keep looking at with our forward 50m pressure and our ability to mark the ball inside 50.
"At times it looked really good (against the Eagles), at other times we probably looked a bit vulnerable at ground level.
"But he's given me plenty to think about."
West Coast coach Adam Simpson also has plenty to ponder in regards to the ruck department.
Former Cat Nathan Vardy was impressive early against Melbourne before fading, while the undersized Drew Petrie battled manfully in the ruck.
Scott Lycett (knee) and Jonathan Giles (thumb) are set to make their first appearances of the pre-season this weekend when they line up for WAFL side East Perth.
Simpson said there's still four or five spots up for grabs in the team, with the ruck department the most open battle.
West Coast enter the season full of confidence following wins over Fremantle and Melbourne in the past fortnight.
Former Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell starred in both, tallying 28 possessions against the Dockers, and 39 against Melbourne.
"He's still blowing out a bit of rust I would have thought with the ball. But to get it that many times is an absolute positive," Simpson said of Mitchell.
Demons midfielder Jack Watts appears set to play in round one after putting in a solid display against the Eagles.
Watts was left out of the first two pre-season games following some lacklustre displays in training.
But he has responded well in recent weeks, and tallied 15 disposals against the Eagles.
"He's given himself every chance to play in round one," Goodwin said.
"I liked Jack's first half especially. I thought he was terrific.
"I thought his intensity was very good."
Goodwin also praised the form of second-year midfielder Clayton Oliver, who tallied 31 disposals against the Eagles.
"He's really improved his game, not only the inside work, but also the outside," Goodwin said.
"He's lost a bit of weight, and he's covering the ground better.
"As a second-year player, he's shaping up as an incredible asset to have in the team."
Share
