Source : ABC NEWS
Ed Langdon says Melbourne teammate Kysaiah Pickett has “taken his game to another level”, as the Demons continue life under new coach Steven King.
Pickett has relished greater midfield time with some career-best numbers, averaging 22.7 disposals, 4.3 clearances and 5.3 tackles per match this season.
The explosive 24-year-old produced a brilliant second-half performance in Melbourne’s comeback win over Carlton at the MCG last Sunday.
The Demons’ victory gave the club a 2-1 (win-loss) start to their campaign.
“He’s certainly taken his game to another level,” Langdon said of Pickett.
“He’s such a terrific player and he’s focusing more and more on his midfield craft, and working out how the best midfielders in the competition go about it.
“And we know what he can do when he goes forward — that’s kicking goals.”
The Demons face Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Prior to the start of the season, Demons players had one eye on this clash as it was set to be their first meeting with ex-teammate Christian Petracca.
Petracca joined the Suns during last year’s trade period, ending an 11-year stint at the Demons, with whom he won the 2021 premiership.
Christian Petracca is sidelined with a hamstring injury. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Matt Roberts)
But Petracca will miss Sunday’s match because of a hamstring injury, robbing the encounter of its main attraction.
“It’s a shame. It would’ve been great to play against Christian,” Langdon said.
“But he’s had an unbelievable start to the year, so it might benefit us that he’s actually not playing.”
The Demons have recalled Daniel Turner and veteran forward Jake Melksham, with Changkuoth Jiath (calf) and Paddy Cross (thumb) both ruled out because of injury.
Petracca and suspended forward Bailey Humphrey are missing for the Suns.
But Suns coach Damien Hardwick welcomes back Brownlow Medal winner Matt Rowell from injury to bolster his midfield.
AAP
