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King: Sometimes he goes over the top

Published by
Zero Hanger

Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney, elevated to the role alongside Nathan Jones this season, is known for his toughness and physical approach to the game.

He is admired for his courageous approach to the contest and his unwillingness to ever take a backward step.

However, this aggression can sometimes result in the odd skirmish with the opposition and Fox Footy analyst David King, believes it is hurting Viney's game.

“He likes to set the standard, Jack, in terms of toughness. Sometimes he goes over the top,” King said on On The Couch on Tuesday night.

“I think he’s wasting a lot of energy.

“His numbers have dropped significantly ... he’s not getting the possessions, contested possessions he got last year.”

Viney has averaged 21.8 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 3.2 marks and 6.2 tackles per game to start season 2017, significantly down on his numbers from last season.

In 2016, he averaged 26.1 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions and seven tackles per game.

His career best season in 2016, culminated in a maiden best and fairest win.

So far this season he has been fined by the Match Review Panel on three separate occasions.

He was fined $2,500 for his latest indiscretion, for his part in a melee during the Demons' loss to Richmond on Monday night.

The melee, which also included Tigers' skipper Trent Cotchin, seemed to fire up the yellow and black and King it was an appropriate time for Cotchin to get involved, compared to Viney's wrestles this season, which may have come at poor moments in matches at times this year.

“I actually thought it was fantastic from Trent Cotchin,” he said.

“It was 17 points the margin and he tried to fire his team up when they needed it. I think Jack does it every time.

“I think Jack needs to look at it.”

Published by
Zero Hanger