by JVM

I heard on the news last night that "football champion Jim Stynes has told his closest friends that doctors have declared his second cancer operation a success". It was great hearing those words read out by veteran television newsreader Peter Hitchener but even the uninformed observer is aware that the club's leader has a long road to travel before he can successfully complete his recovery.

And just as we Demon fans have learned to be patient with our football team, we will patiently wait for our Jim's return to full health. The Melbourne community and indeed, the whole football world, is right behind our Jim Stynes – an inspiration for our club.

Last week Jim's boys did him proud with an emotion charged win over the West Coast Eagles. However, as coach Dean Bailey made clear, you can't rely on emotion every week and you need to be self-motivated to win every time you go out to play.

That's what makes this week's game such a challenge for the Demons who need to find the power to win again.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Port Adelaide v MCG Sunday 12 July 2009 at 2.10pm AEST

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 8 wins Port Adelaide 11 wins

At MCG Melbourne 6 wins Port Adelaide 1 win

Since 2000 Melbourne 5 wins Port Adelaide 9 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Williams 2 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 7 at 2.45 pm (45 minute delay)

Radio Triple M 3AW

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $2.80 Port Adelaide to win $1.40

LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 22.15.147 defeated Melbourne 14.6.90 Round 3 2009 at AAMI Stadium

Melbourne enhanced its reputation as a poor traveller by serving up yet another innocuous performance at AAMI Stadium when it went down by 57 points to the Power.

The Demons were competitive in the first quarter but it was downhill all the way from there and only a fighting final term prevented a total massacre. Aaron Davey, Cameron Bruce and Cale Morton were Melbourne's beat while Brad Green kicked 3 goals.

The day belonged to Port Adelaide's Warren Tredrea who showed he was not a spent force as a tall forward with his strong marking and six goals. Daniel Motlop was also prominent converting three majors.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Cale Morton Matthew Warnock James Frawley

Half backs Paul Wheatley Jared Rivers James McDonald

Centreline Neville Jetta Brock McLean Liam Jungarray Jurrah

Half forwards Cameron Bruce Matthew Bate Ricky Petterd

Forwards Russell Robertson Brad Green Nathan Jones

Followers Mark Jamar Jack Grimes Aaron Davey

Interchange Daniel Bell Lynden Dunn Stefan Martin Brent Moloney

Emergencies Clint Bartram Jamie Bennell Brad Miller

In Daniel Bell Lynden Dunn

Out Jamie Bennell Colin Sylvia (suspended)

PORT ADELAIDE

Backs Alipate Carlile Toby Thurstans Jacob Surjan

Half backs Nathan Krakouer Chad Cornes Peter Burgoyne

Centreline Steve Salopek Domenic Cassisi Tom Logan

Half forwards Robert Gray Warren Tredrea David Rodan

Forwards Brett Ebert Brendon Lade Justin Westhoff

Followers Dean Brogan Kane Cornes Danyle Pearce

Interchange Josh Carr Jason Davenport Michael Pettigrew Paul Stewart

Emergencies Matthew Broadbent Danny Meyer Matthew Westhoff

In Chad Cornes Michael Pettigrew

Out Troy Chaplin (suspended) Danny Meyer

This Sunday's MCG match is between two teams that last week put an end to their own recent horror stretches by winning games they were expected to lose. Before those wins, both Melbourne and Port Adelaide were becoming punching bags fit only for running opposition teams into form, so how does one preview this game between such unreliable combinations?

On the face of it, the fact that Port Adelaide is currently in 9th place and only out of the top 8 on percentage, should determine the issue. The opportunity to play off in a finals series and the rewards that this brings should be incentive enough. On the other hand, Melbourne has little to play for but to salvage some pride wounded after a series of under whelming performances.

But it's not that simple. Port Adelaide might have beaten the Brisbane Lions last week and it might have thrashed Melbourne earlier in the season, but the Power has of late only been able to produce their best at AAMI Stadium. Their record away from home this year is a miserable 1 win from 7 matches - a record identical to their overall tally against Melbourne on the MCG.

It's true that Port Adelaide doesn't perform well at the home of football. Mark Williams' team might have won a premiership on that hallowed turf but it's recent form there has been miserable. Who could ever forget the 2007 grand final and the 119-point touch up delivered to them by the Cats that day? Earlier that year, they beat an undermanned Demons for the first and only time at the G and that was only with more than a grain of luck and a last minute goal from Daniel Motlop.

Motlop won't be at the MCG on Sunday and Chad Cornes, who always seems to be in the way of the Demons and victory whenever they meet Port Adelaide, will be playing his first game for several weeks. And while the Power have ruck veterans Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade, Melbourne has another South Australian in Mark Jamar in top form. Last week his strong play in that division turned the game to his team's advantage. The young Demons have the confidence and the momentum and determined to show they're on a roll.

These things are enough for me to believe the Demons will really make the football world sit up and take notice on Sunday afternoon to make it two in a row.

Melbourne by 15 points

Ohhhhhhh......Im banning everyone. Then I only have to fight off the other mods to win. Hmmmmm......Unabomber is big....and probably already knows the knee to the groing trick......Im doomed. Whats 2nd place?

jack