TOP LINE, BOTTOM LINE

TOP LINE, BOTTOM LINE by The Oracle

It seems that the vagaries of AFL programming have conspired to present us with yet another strange piece of fixturing at the weekend when, despite the fact that we're into round 20, the bottom of the ladder Melbourne meets second bottom side West Coast for the first time this year in what promises to be an absolute yawn fest.

Both sides have been crippled with injuries this season and the only interest left for their fans until very recently was which of them would win the right to select the first player in the national draft at the end of the year.

The recent development has been the apparent skyrocketing in form of the Eagles who have won two of their last three games (against the Saints and the Bombers), all of which have been played on home turf. The loss in the middle was the derby game against Fremantle.

Melbourne's recent form has been less impressive. The Demons were overwhelmed by the Kangaroos in the first quarter before fighting back to lose honourably against one of the competition's in form teams and they were highly competitive and plucky a fortnight ago against the Bombers who they clearly softened up for the Eagles. Then, the wheels really fell off in the Tom Wills game when they were massacred by the other in form team of the AFL - Geelong (although the defeat was by less than those suffered this year by the Eagles and last year in the grand final by Port Adelaide).

There are some who would argue that West Coast beat two teams that were vulnerable so far away from home despite their ranking on the ladder and more recent records of success. The victories however, should have dispelled claims from some quarters that the Eagles have been, er ... "tanking" but the doubts still linger. Suddenly, a scenario has been set up where they face a major dilemma at the MCG on Saturday. A win over the Demons means the loss of a priority pick in the draft as well and even the very remote possibility of gaining the first pick in both the national and the pre season drafts.

The latter possibility is remote because it can only happen if West Coast loses all of its remaining games and Melbourne goes on to beat Port Adelaide and Richmond in the final two rounds of the season. Strangely enough, such a scenario, while remote is still a possibility. Port Adelaide's performance against Carlton last week was every bit as shambolic as Melbourne against Geelong and the Tigers were poor in going down to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

The upshot of all this is that despite Andrew Demetriou's definitive statements about clubs not tanking for draft position, there will be mixed feelings and doubts in the minds of most fans on both sides of the continent. Perhaps, they can rest assured in the knowledge that the public statements made this week by Eagles coach John Worsfold and Demon boss Jim Stynes to the effect that both want their own clubs to win with a passion and that the concept of tanking is not in either of their lexicons?

Not really if you take public perception as a guide. The cynics are saying that this game has a unique character about it in that for the first time in history, we will see both teams not wanting the four points and therefore, it will be worth the admission money to witness such an unusual spectacle.

The Melbourne Football Club might not like it but if the game attracted enough morbid curiosity seekers then it might solve the problem of writing out a cheque to the MCC for the pleasure of hosting the game. More than 20,000 paying customers are needed to avoid such a calamity.

After that, the game will take care of itself.

And after that, in another one of those vagaries of AFL programming Melbourne meets third bottom side Port Adelaide for the first time this year in round 21 in what promises to be another absolute yawn fest.

THE GAME Melbourne v West Coast at the MCG - 16 August 2008 at 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 13 wins West Coast 23 wins

At the MCG Melbourne 5 wins West Coast 6 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 4 wins West Coast 7 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Worsfold 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 10 – delayed telecast from 3pm.

Radio ABC774 SEN

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $1.80 West Coast to win $1.90

LAST TIME THEY MET West Coast 19.23.127 d Melbourne 9.6.60 in Round 8, 2007 at Subiaco

Remember when Chris Judd was the Eagles’ star player and dominated their games? Travis Johnstone, a classy Demon who got lots of the ball and disposed of the ball well? It was a long time ago. West Coast burst out of the blocks and were untroubled to beat Melbourne by 11 goals. It probably deserved to win by at least fifteen.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Matthew Whelan Stefan Martin James Frawley

Half backs James McDonald Matthew Warnock Paul Wheatley

Centreline Simon Buckley Cameron Bruce Addam Maric

Half forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Austin Wonaeamirri

Forwards Matthew Bate Brad Miller Michael Newton

Followers Mark Jamar Cale Morton Shane Valenti

Interchange Clint Bartram Daniel Bell Paul Johnson Nathan Jones

Eemergencies Jace Bode Nathan Carroll Adem Yze

In Daniel Bell Mark Jamar Brad Miller Michael Newton

Out Nathan Carroll (omitted) Lynden Dunn (ill) Chris Johnson (groin) Jeff White (knee)

WEST COAST EAGLES

Backs Mark Nicoski Darren Glass Eric Mackenzie

Half backs Adam Selwood Beau Wilkes Andrew Embley

Centreline Michael Braun Matt Priddis Matt Spangher

Half forwards Jamie McNamara Quinten Lynch Brad Ebert

Forwards Mark LeCras Ben McKinley Mark Seaby

Followers Dean Cox Chad Fletcher Tyson Stenglein

Interchange Steven Armstrong Ryan Davis Tony Notte Scott Selwood

Energencies Tim Houlihan Will Schofield James Thomson

In Brad Ebert Tony Notte

Out Ashley Hansen (ankle) David Wirrpanda (hamstring)

New Tony Notte (Swan Districts)

THE BOTTOM LINE

What sort of person plonks $25,000 on a footy team that's lost its last game by 116 points?

The punter who backed Melbourne to beat West Coast this week is either a fool or a very clever many who is well informed.

The bloke comes from Perth and I'm sticking with the smart money.

Melbourne in a boilover by 3 points.