McKenna embracing tough battle against hungry Demons
Senior Coach Guy McKenna says his playing group won’t treat Melbourne lightly, with the traditional AFL club likely to bounce back with more hunger and fight after their disappointing 65-point loss to Carlton last weekend.
Despite having endured a roller-coasted start to their 2013 campaign, which has seen the Dee’s average a losing-margin of 82-points, the Demons have showed their more than capable of sparking a spirited chase in the latter stages of a contest after their record-breaking fourth quarter against the GWS Giants.
Trailing by 19-points at the end of the third term, the Demons rallied together and raced away at the final siren with a 41-point victory - recording their highest scoring quarter in the club’s long history.
But while the southern AFL rival will still be hurting from the loss of co-captain Jack Grimes (injured shoulder), McKenna is expecting a fierce contest from their young and talented playing group.
“I’ve seen them twice now in the last three weeks and they go very hard around the football,” said McKenna.
“They’ve got some big, strong bodied boys and I would assume that Chris Dawes comes straight back – so there’s not really a chance for us to take them too lightly.”
With the GC SUNS also stinging from their tough loss against Fremantle, McKenna said the Round 7 clash would be a great opportunity for his charges to bounce back against a quality AFL opposition.
“Every week for us is an opportunity to win and get better, but we understand that there’s no games that will be handed out – no three quarter efforts, half-game efforts because we have to keep improving.”
While Steven May still remains under an injury cloud, McKenna is confident Charlie Dixon will be passed fit at tomorrow’s main training session.
“He’s (May) a chance, it is a back-related hamstring as opposed to a true hamstring… however, if there’s any doubt then we’ll rule him out.”
In regards to Dixon, McKenna added: “Because of the longer week our main session is on tomorrow but I would assume if he could get through most of that.
“I think his ankle is fine… his substitution had nothing to do with form or the way he was going against the Dockers, it was more just because we had to make a decision and he got injured at the wrong time, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be alright.”