Melbourne swingman Harrison Petty has come under scrutiny for a string of poor efforts during Sunday’s loss to the GWS Giants.
Capable of playing at either end of the ground, the 26-year-old was used primarily in defence against the Giants, but had a day to forget.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Harrison Petty’s defensive struggles under scrutiny
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The Giants kicked 19 goals on their way to a 49-point victory with key targets Callum Brown and Max Gruzewski both kicking three goals each.
Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes highlighted a number of ‘concerning’ efforts and added that Petty should be sent back to the VFL to find some form.
“I don’t know what he does. I don’t know what he does that benefits the team,” Cornes said on The Agenda Setters.
“Like easy lead up marks. This was, this was a concern for me. Outmarked far too often. Doesn’t know where to play him. Is it forward? Is it back?
“Gives away free kicks here. I could have shown 10 of them. I’ve probably only got six for you, but a lot of those lead to goals.
“I think needs to go back and find some form because you can’t let that ball over the back. That just leads to so many goals.
“He has so many goals kicked on him or the team kicks a goal as a result of his mistake.
“What’s he doing here? Harrison Petty, are you going to press or are you just going to stand there twiddling your thumbs, get up and press and put some pressure on.
“So I think it’s time for some form back at the low level for Harrison Petty.”
Petty rose to prominence in the 2021 season, playing 19 games including a key role in the club’s drought-breaking premiership.
But he struggled to cement his spot in the backline and by 2023, he was moved forward where he impressed with a six-goal haul against Richmond.
Adelaide reportedly launched an audacious bid to poach Petty, who was still under contract, in the 2023 trade period, but the Demons held onto him.
He has mainly played forward since then, as well as pinch-hitting in the ruck, but has failed to set the world on fire.
The Demons take on Collingwood this weekend in the annual King’s Birthday blockbuster.
