Axed Moloney still wanted by Demons in AFL

Out-of-form Melbourne AFL club champion Brent Moloney remains part of the Demons’ future despite his relegation from the side to face Fremantle on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

The 28-year-old midfielder will instead line up for Melbourne’s VFL affiliate Casey against Bendigo after being dropped for the first time since early in 2008.

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said the off-contract, unrestricted free agent needed to rediscover some form but he was still wanted by the Demons.

“Brent’s a quality player and he’s working really hard but unfortunately, just at the moment, he’s not in really good form,” Neeld said of the reigning best and fairest on Friday.

“He’s going to go back to the VFL and hopefully regain some touch.”

Neeld plans to play rookie Tom Couch, the son of 1989 Brownlow medallist Paul, in the midfield in his first outing.

Couch earned his call-up with some hot form for the Scorpions, highlighted by four goals and 25 disposals against Port Melbourne last Sunday.

“It’s really good for Tom,” Neeld said.

“He has the opportunity to come in with some really good VFL form so we’re really pleased with that.”

Former skipper Brad Green also returns to the top side after recovering from a thigh injury and making an impact for Casey, kicking six goals in their nine-point win.

While delighted to give 24-year-old Couch his long-awaited start – the third Demon to make his debut this year – Neeld said he didn’t have a set idea of how many players he would blood this season.

“It depends on the form of the guys in the AFL side and the guys running around at Casey.

“I’m not giving games away. They’ve got to earn them.”

The Demons have a good record against Fremantle, beating them on their past three trips to Melbourne but Neeld believed, with two new coaches at the helm, he could read little into those results.

Neeld travelled to Perth to watch the Dockers beat the Western Bulldogs last round and was impressed by their style.

“They play a really close, combative brand of footy.

“The sides that Ross Lyons have coached are all very disciplined outfits and they have a go and we’ll be expecting that.”

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