Demons on alert as ill coach Goodwin isolates with gastro symptoms
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and assistant coach Adem Yze have missed the Demons’ training session after waking up with gastro symptoms on Friday morning.
The pair decided to isolate from the team as a precaution, with no other players or staff members showing symptoms.
The illness comes just a week after six members of Geelong, the Demons’ preliminary final opponents, were struck down with a bug before the game that left several players bed-ridden and with fevers.
With the pre-grand final bye in place the Demons still have eight days to wait before the game against the Western Bulldogs and were expected to have a solid hit-out this Saturday, having played just two matches in the past three weeks.
Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin said the club was being cautious when he stood in for the absent Goodwin at a media conference on Friday.
“He’s woken up a little bit crook ... they’ll be fine come tomorrow, but the club didn’t want to take any risks and the docs said just to stay back. It’s a pretty light session today so all the other coaches will get few other staff to help us out,†Chaplin said.
Simon Goodwin is isolating.Credit:Getty Images
“Given the stakes at hand it’s important to make sure we don’t have something sweep through the whole club, so the doctors are just playing it really safe.â€
Chaplin said the team’s session would be light and was confident key defender Steven May would be in good shape for the grand final after being subbed out of the preliminary final with a tight hamstring.
However, he admitted each session would help May build the confidence he needed to perform well.
“He will do what is needed to get himself right for next week,†Chaplin said.
“There is going to be a little bit of doubt there, but we will alleviate that for him where possible.â€
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Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age covering AFL, horse racing and other sports.Connect via Twitter or email.
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