Terry Wallace has contended on 'SEN’s The Match Committee' that a Max Gawn and Braydon Preuss ruck partnership was never going to work.
Preuss has been dropped for Melbourne's round 21 clash against Collingwood after having a tough time finding his way last weekend against Richmond.
“Preuss had to go out of the side,” Wallace said.
“I’ll cut him slack in the fact that the conditions were absolutely horrific at the MCG last Saturday night."
Preuss has played just the six games in his first season since joining the Demons, and Wallace is sceptical about the move and its overall success.
“While they’ve got Gawn in the side, they’re not going to play Gawn 50% forward, he’s going to ruck 80% of the time," Wallace said.
“You’re not going to have one of the best two ruckmen in the competition sitting half the day at full-forward. Therefore, you’ve got Braydon Preuss who has got to spend 80% time as a forward or on the bench which impacts your rotation.
“It just doesn’t work for them. It was never going to work and it never will work with that setup.
“They go into a game last week with their two key forwards as (Harrison) Petty and Preuss. They kicked two points between them.”
2019 has been a year to forget for Melbourne. The Demons will be looking to salvage some pride against Collingwood on Saturday afternoon and gather some much-needed momentum and belief heading into what is shaping up as a busy off-season for the club.
