THE INTOXICATING SMELL OF SUCCESS IS HEADING OUR WAY

by JVM

The smell of success is both infectious and intoxicating and the cock a hoop Demons are lusting for more after their big victory last weekend against the Tigers. However, unlike the Blues who were crowing a few weeks back about back to back flags after their 2-0 start to the season, Melbourne's sights are set much lower. The Dees are taking things in the traditional football vein - one week at a time. They're looking only at back to back wins and they have the chance to do it this week with a home game against the Crows who seem to struggle whenever they play on the MCG (leaving aside the first game of the season when they beat Collingwood).

The last time these teams met on the MCG, Melbourne opened its account for the 2007 season with a 17 point win over the highly fancied Crows who were on their way to the finals later that year. Going back further into history the Demons crushed this mob on the same ground in a finals game at the G in 1998 - a year in which Adelaide went on to win the premiership (I won't bother explaining the finals system that allowed such a thing to happen). What this all means is probably nothing but I'm using it to make the point that this is an eminently winnable game for the Melbourne Football Club.

Now you might think I'm being unrealistic when I pump up the Demons' tyres but who ion their right mind would have believed before the start of the season that they would be level on premiership points with the reigning premiers after four rounds?

I expect Adelaide to be totally confused and disorientated when its team takes to the field on Sunday in the twilight hours just before the setting of the sun. They have never been in this territory at that time of the day or week before whereas Melbourne covered itself in glory in its most recent foray into twilight football at the MCG. I remember it well. Sunday 2 September 2007 at 5.10pm when our red and blue heroes bade farewell to such luminaries as Byron Pickett, Daniel Ward and Nathan Brown by whipping that band of triers from Carlton Town to within an inch of their lives. At the same time, they also waved goodbye to a priority draft pick that year and another one last year but that's another story. Fact is the Dees are dynamite on their home ground and in these conditions.

The other thing about this game is that Adelaide will no doubt be dispirited after being kicked around their own park by Geelong or more particularly by G. Ablett Jr. Their spirit and morale must be at a low ebb and they're going to feel a lot worse when they turn up at the MCG on Sunday to see a Melbourne team replete with more than a handful of players who sport the same bald cranium as the great god from down sleepy hollow way. That should be sufficient to freak the Crows off their game and leave the Demons sniffing the sweet and intoxicating smell of success for the second week running.

<b>THE GAME </b>

Melbourne v. Adelaide at the MCG – 26 April 2009 at 4.40pm (AEST)

<b>HEAD TO HEAD</b>

Overall Melbourne 9 wins Adelaide 17 wins

At MCG Melbourne 5 wins Adelaide 4 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 4 wins Adelaide 9 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 Craig 1

<b>MEDIA</b>

TV Fox Sports 1 4pm (live EST)

RADIO ABC774 SEN

<b>THE BETTING</b> Melbourne to win $3.15 Adelaide to win $1.33

<b>LAST TIME THEY MET</b> Adelaide 22.18.150 d Melbourne 11.8.74, Round 8, 2008, at AAMI Stadium

Melbourne was coming off its first win after a dismal start to the season having come for more than fifty points down to shock Fremantle on the MCG. With a week's break in between game thanks to the All Stars game (a total non event for Demons everywhere) the club and its supporters came down to earth with a thud when the team visited the City of Churches to take on the Crows. The team put up some resistance early but once the Birdman got going late in the opening term, it became a slaughter. Burton finished with five goals and Tippet managed four. McLeod did what he wanted and the game gave Adelaide youngsters Van Belo and Vince an opportunity to showcase their talents. The Dees had a few triers. Cale Morton was one of them.

<b>THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE</b>

Backs Neville Jetta Matthew Warnock Clint Bartram

Half backs James Frawley Stefan Martin Aaron Davey

Centreline Jared Rivers Ricky Petterd Brock McLean

Half forwards Cale Morton Michael Newton Nathan Jones

Forwards Brad Miller Colin Sylvia Matthew Bate

Followers John Meesen Cameron Bruce James McDonald

Interchange Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn Paul Johnson Brent Moloney

Emergencies Kyle Cheney Addam Maric Russell Robertson

In James McDonald

Out Brad Green (broken jaw)

<b>ADELAIDE </b>

Backs Graham Johncock Ben Rutten Andrew Otten

Half backs Michael Doughty Nathan Bock Nathan van Berlo

Centreline Patrick Dangerfield Simon Goodwin David Mackay

Half forwards Richard Douglas Taylor Walker Andrew McLeod

Forwards Jason Porplyzia Kurt Tippett Bernie Vince

Followers Jon Griffin Tyson Edwards Scott Thompson

Interchange Myke Cook Jared Petrenko Brent Reilly Scott Stevens

Emergencies Jarrhan Jacky Brad Moran Robert Shirley

In Myke Cook Jon Griffin Scott Stevens

Out Ivan Maric Robert Shirley Brad Symes (both omitted)

Umpires Hendrie Armstrong Schmitt

<b>NOT EASY BEING GREEN</b>

Melbourne suffered a massive blow last week when Brad Green and Alex Rance, both with eyes on the football, clashed at the MCG in the first quarter of last week's game. Green was rushed to hospital, had surgery and has now been declared a four to week six week proposition as far as his return to the team is concerned. Anyone aware of the Demons' recent history would understand the ominous nature and significance of an injured player being classified in this manner. Greenie was in good form before the accident and we wish him well for a speedy return but his departure leaves a gaping hole in the Demon line up even if the team managed to rally and win without him last week.

Against the Crows, Green will be missed. He is the club's most versatile player and excels wherever he plays. He is the leading goal kicker, has done some great work in the middle and then taken courageous marks when pushing down back. It will take three players to replace him. The skipper's back in the middle so that's one. Perhaps Kyle Cheney might have to come in to take the back line and Adam Maric is the natural for the forward replacement.

I like Maric. He's a cheeky forward who kicks well and knows where the goals are. Adelaide coach Neil Craig was humbled and forced to apologise for giving his team's Maric a bake last week. I'm suggesting that he'll be humiliated by another Maric this week – Melbourne's Maric!

And on that basis I'm selecting the Demons to win with flying colours and that on Sunday's night we'll be toasting another successful result.

Melbourne by 15 points.