With question marks over Melbourne\u2019s forward line potency heading into the 2026 season, the new-look forward line spearheaded by a duo of emerging leaders has answered the call.<\/p>\n
Fresh off by a pair of three-goal performances to help their side to a gutsy win over Gold Coast, Jacob Van Rooyen and Harrison Petty are both enjoying career-best form.<\/p>\n
After missing the last two rounds with a hamstring injury Petty didn\u2019t miss a beat on return, with a confident performance capped by a 55-meter goal after the three-quarter time siren that shifted the momentum in the Demons\u2019 favour.<\/p>\n
Van Rooyen was similarly busy, clunking a game-high four contested marks.<\/p>\n
Senior Coach Steven King was full of praise for the way the young duo has shouldered the responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most pleasing thing for me is that they\u2019re starting to take ownership of that forward line,\u201d King said during his post match press conference.<\/p>\n
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