NORTH and SOUTH

[Demonland 70,312]

by JVM

Every year thousands upon thousands of people flock from the southern states up north to Queensland in search of the sun, surf, scenery and a few other things that start with the letter "s" including sport.

This weekend a few Demon fans might even jump on a jet plane headed for Brisbane although I couldn't vouch to such hardy souls that the experience will be enjoyable if their final destination is the Brisbane v Melbourne game at the Gabba.

You see, the Lions are on a roll and are nicely poised to make an assault on the top four which is vital for any team with high aspirations in the AFL competition.

The Demons had aspirations once as well but that was in the early days of the season when they ventured further north and comfortably beat the Lions in a NAB Cup Challenge at the height of Hurricane Hamish.

However, such games are only make believe and when the real stuff started the Demons went missing. They certainly left their form up in the tropics because they have managed only a single, solitary victim since that wet and windy night some three months ago.

The weather report suggests that conditions at the Gabba will be thundery with rain easing during the day but on current form, even stormy weather will preclude both lightning and the Demons from striking twice!

THE GAME Brisbane v Melbourne at The Gabba - Saturday, 27 June 2009 at 7.10pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Brisbane 9 wins Melbourne 16 wins

Gabba Brisbane 7 wins Melbourne 3 wins

Since 2000: Brisbane 6 wins Melbourne 4 wins

The Coaches Voss 0 wins Bailey 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports1 6.30pm

RADIO Triple M SEN

THE BETTING Brisbane $1.06 to win Melbourne $8.00 to win

THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 14.9.93 defeated Brisbane 13.14.92 at MCG Round 14 2008

The opportunity doesn't arrive too often these days for one to say that Melbourne won at its last start against a particular opponent but, with Brisbane, that's exactly the case. In Round 14 last year, the Demons were gritty and stuck to their guns all day causing a major upset. Brad Miller and Colin Sylvia booted four goals each. Brad Green was in scintillating form and earned the three Brownlow votes for the game while Aussie Wonaeamirri did his fair share of the crumbing work and celebrating.

THE TEAMS

BRISBANE

Backs Jason Roe Daniel Merrett Jed Adcock

Half backs Joel Patfull Lachlan Henderson Joel Macdonald

Centreline Albert Proud Simon Black Daniel Rich

Half forwards Michael Rischitelli Jonathan Brown James Polkinghorne

Forwards Rhan Hooper Daniel Bradshaw Luke Power

Followers Mitch Clark Cheynee Stiller Justin Sherman

Interchange Jared Brennan Scott Harding Ashley McGrath Sam Sheldon

Emergencies Jack Redden Matt Austin Tim Notting

In Daniel Merrett Joel Patfull

Out Tim Notting Troy Selwood (shoulder)

MELBOURNE

Backs Matthew Whelan Matthew Warnock Ricky Petterd

Half backs Aaron Davey Jared Rivers James Frawley

Centreline Neville Jetta Brock McLean Jamie Bennell

Half forwards Russell Robertson Brad Miller Matthew Bate

Forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Liam Jungarray Jurrah

Followers Paul Johnson Jack Grimes Cameron Bruce

Interchange Stefan Martin Brent Moloney Cale Morton Jack Watts

Emergencies Nathan Jones Lynden Dunn Shane Valenti

In Ricky Petterd Matthew Warnock

Out: Clint Bartram Kyle Cheney

Just four weeks ago the Demons came to Queensland to take on the might of the undefeated Saints at Carrara. That night they gave their fans an incredible ride. It was a trip right up to the top in a roller coaster with a more than competitive first half when Melbourne threw everything was thrown at St. Kilda and was possibly a tad unlucky not to be in front at the main break. Since then however, it's been a real slippery dip as the Demon roller coaster took a downward path. The last half against the Saints was a goalless snore fest. That has been followed by thrashings on big stages (Collingwood at the G on Queens Birthday and last Friday night against Essendon). During that time, the team has produced two or three reasonable quarters, the rest have been dreadful.

Brisbane has been sitting and waiting for this. Last year, it was lowly Melbourne's shock defeat of the Lions that saw them reeling and ultimately Missing out on the finals action. Unfortunate for Demon fans they won't allow this to happen again and certainly not at the Gabba where the likes of Simon Black, Luke Power and youngster Daniel Rich will be pumping the ball long and straight to the twin towers - Bradshaw and Brown. It's just as well that Matthew Warnock is there to take on one of them and James Frawley will take the other. Trouble is that you can't control the two Brisbane B's all night and the Lions have plenty of scoring options and know their ground so well. And their dominant in form midfield will do little to aid the Demons.

Nor will their inexperienced forward line, though it will be interesting to watch youngsters like Jurrah, Watts and Jetta continue on with their development at this early stage of their careers.

Still, it's going to be a tough slog for the visitors on Saturday night. So tough that I'm tipping a repeat of the last fortnight.

Brisbane by 51 point