THE FULL CIRCLE

by The Oracle and friends at Demonland

Melbourne's final home and away game for the season against St. Kilda represents the closing of a three year circle. It has been a somewhat vicious circle which has taken the club from a disappointing and disastrous season opener at the MCG against St. Kilda in 2007 to an appointment that will close its 2009 roster at the same ground and against the same club on Sunday.

In the interim, it's been a tale of heartbreak and woes.

When the Demons took on the Saints in round 1 of 2007, they were the favourites to win the game and, at the time, many experts had them in their predictions for a top four finish or better. After all, they were coming off a season in which they made the semi finals, had finished the highest ranked Victorian club and had beaten St. Kilda in a recent final at the home of football.

Melbourne fans had every reason to be confident of the future then but a poor performance in that fateful first match of 2007 set the scene for a horrible year filled with injury and disappointment which produced just five wins and a sacked coach.

Things only got worse in 2008 and by the time Melbourne next came up against St. Kilda, it was down on the floor as a club, struggling to win on the field and with a new board and lots of tin rattling to come off the field.

There were some signs of improvement this year and when the Demons played the Saints on the Gold Coast in mid season they looked good for a half before bucking under to the weight of their opponents' class. Since then, they've limped through the remainder of a season and have remained terribly fraught by injuries and inconsistent performances. The latter is often indicative with young sides and there's a lot of optimism for a future when the young players introduced over the past three seasons mature and develop individually and as a group – The Oracle.

The minor premiers, St. Kilda, having lost their past two games to Essendon and North Melbourne by less than a kick (or by a Riewoldt kick), venture to the MCG for the first time in season 2009.

Unbelievable isn't it?

That's just how things work out with such an uneven fixture, so if you hear any Saints fans whinge on the way to the game, be sure to point out what Melbourne is served up by Vlad and his puppets.

With the finals the week after, the Saints and Rossy Lyon will be determined to put a stop to their form slump immediately by ramping up their game to such a level in preparation for the finals and what better place to do it than at the MCG? One of the areas the Saints haven't been going well at of late is the contested ball. They've been beaten in here in the last couple of weeks and their stats for contested ball have not been at the level they pride themselves on so the return of Luke Ball is significant.

For Melbourne, it will be a somewhat sad affair. For Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan & Russell Robertson will grace the hallowed turf for the last time in the Red & Blue. Each have been fantastic contributors for the Melbourne Football Club, each have represented Melbourne in various finals campaigns and they each can hold their head high as they take the last walk off the ground in the Red & Blue in front of their beloved supporters on Sunday evening.

Each of these players is well respected among their teammates and has devoted their time for the Melbourne Football Club on and off the field. All role models in their own right, not just for the supporters but for some of their teammates or brothers as well i.e. Wheels. Let's not forget that.

I for one will be there to clap them at the conclusion of the game on Sunday. I'll remember Wheats for his tireless work in the back half, his long penetrating kicks and his 'Supergoals'. Wheels for his hardness, he's accountability and his speed within and around the backline. Robbo for his exciting high flying, many of his 420 odd goals and his emotion.

I hope many Melbourne members/supporters do too – High Tower

This is the Saints first game for the year at the 'G. Thus early results, along with emotion, will push the Demons to play the day at breakneck speed. The Saints will let us run early with basic accountability (within their structures) but they will be sure to take their opportunities when they no doubt present. As with last week I expect us go hot and cold but still toe to toe almost to the end of the first half.

The stats that matter at that time:

Robbo: One reel of highlights and a sausage or four.

Wheels: One forward snag and one legal crunch (Milne?).

Wheats: A dash along the wing to bomb one from 65m.

Youth: Full complement of multi-role red-hot-go delivered.

Then we'll get shut down. We'll get tired and (hopefully not ) injured. It's then all about what's left and at what level that can be delivered. The second half won't be pretty. I'm hoping Richmond last year is as bad as it might be but the Saints will be merciless. Not that the Demons will surrender until the final siren, they will simply, evidently, be outclassed.

The day though belongs to the retirees (even if club only). One more time around boys, thanks again - Trident

THE GAME

Melbourne v St. Kilda at the MCG – Sunday 30 August 2009 at 2.10 pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 118 wins St. Kilda 80 wins 1 drawn

MCG Melbourne 58 wins St. Kilda 30 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins St. Kilda 5 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Lyon 2 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 7 3.000 pm (1 hour delay)

RADIO ABC774 K-Rock SEN Triple M 3AW

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $11.00 St. Kilda to win $1.02 (thank god they're going through a slump!)

THE LAST TIME THEY MET St. Kilda 11.17.83 defeated Melbourne 6.10.46 – Round 10, 2009 at Carrara

Melbourne took it right up to St. Kilda in a pressure packed first half in Round 10 at Carrara and trailed the Saints by only eight points at the main break. However, the Demons noticeably tired after the interval and went defensive allowing the undefeated league leaders to strangle them in the process. Riewoldt kicked four for St. Kilda while Hayes, Jones and Dal Santo did the damage. Cameron Bruce, Colin Sylvia and Brad Green were the best of the Demons.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Clint Bartram James Frawley Nathan Jones

Half backs Kyle Cheney Jared Rivers Cale Morton

Centreline Paul Wheatley Lynden Dunn James McDonald

Half forwards Aaron Davey Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia

Forwards Neville Jetta Liam Jurrah Brad Miller

Followers Jake Spencer Brent Moloney Brock McLean

Interchange Jamie Bennell Mark Jamar Jordie McKenzie Matthew Whelan

Emergencies Tom McNamara Stefan Martin Shane Valenti

In Clint Bartram Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn Nathan Jones Brad Miller Paul Wheatley

Out Matthew Bate (chest/lung) Paul Johnson (omitted) Tom McNamara (omitted) Stefan Martin (omitted) Ricky Petterd (adductor) Shane Valenti (omitted)

ST. KILDA

Backs Raphael Clarke Zac Dawson Steven Baker

Half backs Sam Fisher Jason Blake Sam Gilbert

Centreline Brendon Goddard Lenny Hayes Nick Dal Santo

Half forwards Andrew McQualter Justin Koschitzke Clint Jones

Forwards Stephen Milne Nick Riewoldt Jason Gram

Followers Steven King Leigh Montagna Adam Schneider

Interchange Sean Dempster Robert Eddy Ben McEvoy Farren Ray

Emergencies Luke Ball Jarryn Geary Jack Steven

In Robert Eddy Lenny Hayes Ben McEvoy

Out David Armitage (omitted) Matthew Gardiner (hamstring soreness) James Gwilt (omitted)

On the selection front there's been a lot of focus on injuries. Most of the talk has been about Nick Riewoldt with the paparazzi chasing him around town earlier in the week like the late Princess Di to check up on the scans on his injured knee. Lenny Hayes and Max Hudghton have also come under scrutiny over their mystery ailments. Meanwhile, nobody gives a rat's about the fact that Melbourne's injury list continues to nudge around 20. Having your players fit at the end of a long, hard season is vital. Just ask Collingwood which is about to take over flag favouritism from the Saints and the Cats. The Maggies have only one player on their injured list, Tristan Francis, and nobody's ever heard of him. That's why they're so hot at the minute.

But even without some of their stars, the Saints would be starting favourites in this game despite the unfamiliarity of the territory. The fact that they will have most of their guns available makes the Saints almost unbackable to win and win well in the biggest mismatch of the season – Demon Head

So Sunday afternoon at the G at 2.10 begins the last game of the home and away season for Melbourne. It's the last game on the hallowed ground before the following week's finals. Of the two teams competing this day one looks to this September with legitimate expectations the other looks to games far more distant in time if finals are to be considered.

The Saints will be expecting a result far better than their history against the home side would suggest . Having played 88 times at the G Melbourne has triumphed on 58 of those occurrences but they were possibly in better times.

It isn't without reason that St. Kilda sits atop the ladder and Melbourne diametrically at the opposite end on the bottom. The two sides will have only one thing in common this Sunday and that's the colour and shape of the ball. St. Kilda's window is firmly open and the breeze blows strong. Melbourne's is quietly closed for the moment awaiting the finishing touches to renovation before pushing it ajar.

Whilst there ought to be a spirited contest only one team really has anything immediate to play for and I expect this to be very much a tune up and reminder of winning for the Saints. Melbourne will bid farewell to a trio of club stalwarts. Two different teams at two different moments in the evolutionary cycle called football.

Barring further injury to the Demons a valiant if unsuccessful day will probably play out with a recorded loss of 7-8 goals to the home side - Belzebub59

Bottom V Top, Hell V Heaven, Demons V Saints, Bad V Good, Draft Hope V Premiership Hope, Melbourne V St. Kilda. One team playing to lose, the other couldn't lose if it tried. One squad moving from veterans to the young, the other firmly entrenched in the here and now. One group of supporters coming to farewell the past and witness the future, or at least part of it, the other group coming because it's their first chance to see their heroes at the home of Football. Like Mecca for Muslims, Bodhgaya for Buddhists, Jerusalem for Christians, the local clinic for Pies fans, it's a must to come to the MCG, to revel in the history, to breath in the future and to hope, to hope that in 4 weeks time it's their team that's alive and holding up that Cup.

In reality, the game will be about finishing off a season that for Melbourne finished long ago, with just the need to lose once more to receive the final input of hope for the future. That of Thomas "second Son of God" Scully, the anointed heir apparent to the throne held for a year by one Jackyboy "Son of God" Watts. For the Melbourne faithful it's one more position filled toward that elusive 13th premiership team. If Scully and Watts turn out to be half as good as is hoped, no expected, then Melbourne is in safe hands. For being a Melbourne supporter is and for a long time, has been about hope, hope that one day we will be feared again, one day we will be winners again. For mine I feel that day is coming. A day when the September sun shines on a Dais with Red and Blue balloons filling the air, 104,879 rabid fans celebrating in the glory that is the coming of the Lord, or in this case, Melbourne Premiership captain Jack Watts to receive his Norm Smith Medal.

That day had its seeds in the here and now. Jim Stynes, Chris Connolly, Cameron Schwab and a committed Melbourne Board and family has planted those seeds, Dean Bailey is tending those seeds, ensuring that we get an excellent strike rate, one that offers us the opportunity we so richly deserve.

So when you wake up on Sunday and think why would I want to go to the Football today? Think of the past, think of Matty Whelan's shoulder and James Hird's head, think of his dash from half back, think of the tackles, think of his heart. Think of Paul Wheatley's first super goal, think of his efforts to overcome injury, think of his love for the jumper. Remember Russell Robertson's trademark leap, think of all those goals and think of his ability to do it for this great club. For F**k's sake if that doesn't get you there then come and see the future. Watch as Liam Jurrah does things that only he can do, watch as Aaron Davey mesmerises the opposition with his grace and flair, watch as Nathan Jones puts his head over the ball time and time again, watch a revitalised Jared Rivers back into a pack to repel another attack, watch as you witness the makings of the next great AFL team.

As supporters we have a duty, a duty to support our team, so get out of bed, get your gear on and get on down to the G, because there's 22 players, a coach, a truly dedicated President and countless others who are all going to be there giving it there all to put this club back on top where it belongs! - Roost It

Saints by 62

We at Demonland would like to thank all who participated in this match preview and in all of the match previews during the year. It's not easy to come back week after week and try to write something positive about the club so thanks again and let's hope that in 2010 we'll be previewing and writing about many more victories!