The young Demon that should be injected into the midfield mix

Melbourne have found themselves back in the top four following their 38-point win over St Kilda last weekend, however, questions persist surrounding their best midfield mix.

The Demons currently sit 12th in the competition for total clearances, averaging just under 36 per game.

In their Round 11 win, Simon Goodwin rolled six different players through the centre of the MCG, with Kysaiah Pickett amounting 20 centre bounce attendances, and Alex Neal-Bullen clocking 11 attendances.

As Christian Petracca has proven incredibly damaging in the forward half, alongside Pickett’s natural forward craft, Goodwin has a difficult decision in locating his third midfielder alongside Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney.

Tim Watson and Garry Lyon both believe the Dees have an answer within their ranks in 20-year-old back flanker Judd McVee.

Here is what they had to say on SEN Breakfast.

Watson: “I watch this kid play at Melbourne, I know they have settled him into a position and he’s very good at what he does, but for me McVee is a walk-up start to play in the midfield.

“He would give them a point of difference that they don’t currently have in their midfield.”

Lyon: “I am 100 per cent agreeing with you.

“Don’t rush these guys, he’s in his second year so he’s probably got this year to work out the half-back role and then it’s a slow progression forward in either the wing or midfield.”

Watson: “He may be still building his engine.

“I think what happens with football clubs is when they get their back six settled, they like those players and they stop thinking about them as players they can shift to somewhere else.

“What would be the harm in Melbourne doing that, saying let’s just give this kid a quarter of a game.

“Sooner rather than later.”

Lyon: “He is a super player, Judd McVee.

“Second year, he’s had a year and a half of senior footy, and hopefully the progression will come at some stage for him down the line.”

McVee has been in superb form as a rebounding defender who uses the ball cleverly. He is second at the club for rebound 50s with 45 (behind Steven May's 51) and is in the top seven for both total kicks and metres gained.

He and the Demons are set to take on Fremantle in Alice Springs this Sunday.