Goodwin cracks code to fix Dees’ goal-kicking woes

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Goodwin cracks code to fix Dees’ goal-kicking woes

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin figures his players’ costly and contagious goal-kicking woes originate above the shoulders.

The fix, he says, comes down to believing in the process.

“Everyone’s trying to crack the code in terms of goal-kicking,” Goodwin said ahead of the King’s Birthday blockbuster against Collingwood.

“There’s certainly a skill to it and there’s a mindset to it.

“We believe that we’ve done the work to get the skill-set.

“It’s now making sure that mentally we believe that we’re capable and we finish the plays.”

Melbourne (5-7) blew the chance to square their season ledger when they kicked a woefully inaccurate 7.21 (63) in the 28-point loss to St Kilda last week.

The Demons had seven more scoring shots than their opponents, with only Christian Petracca bucking the trend by kicking 2.1.

“We’re just not seeing the results that we need to see right now,” Goodwin said.

“We’re confident that we will get the change and it’s one of those things that you only see over time.

“Right now we’re in a process of change and we want to make sure that we give it the time to see the change that we need.

“We’re confident we’re going to get that.”

Despite the obvious problems in front of goal, Goodwin identified more significant issues out of the surprise defeat to St Kilda.

The Demons’ work in the contest and defensive shortcomings were of particular concern to the 2021 premiership coach.

“It was a regression in all phases of the game,” Goodwin said, noting his side’s previous six weeks had been largely positive.

“The Saints kicked 10.7 from the back half, so our defence was nowhere near the level that it was meant to be.

“And when we were able to get some momentum in the game, we weren’t able to take our chances.

“So there were multiple areas in the game that were nowhere near the (required) level.”

Significant improvement is required if Melbourne are to end a run of three straight losses to old rivals Collingwood, who sit half-a-game clear on top of the ladder.

“Everyone knows how well they’re going. They’re playing some outstanding footy,” Goodwin said.

‘But our biggest focus is going to be on us and how we can get our game going to the highest level possible.

“We know in this competition that anyone on any given day can get the result that they need.”

Goodwin will weigh up whether to promote Matthew Jefferson or Jacob van Rooyen in place of key forward Aidan Johnson, who is suspended for the second time this year.

Both Jefferson (10 goals) and van Rooyen (four) have shown improved form at VFL level in affiliate side Casey’s pair of comfortable wins over the past fortnight.

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