PENULTIMATE 2010

PENULTIMATE by JVM and the Demonland Crew

When the siren sounded last Sunday at about 4.50pm to put an end to the game between Hawthorn and Melbourne, the makeup of the final eight was virtually sealed. Across town at Etihad Stadium the Kangaroos had a chance to stay in touch if only they could beat St. Kilda but when that failed to eventuate we were left therefore with an improbable scenario if there was to be a change in the makeup of the final eight.

The Hawks had to lose both games and one of North Melbourne and Melbourne had to win both (and in the latter's case, by big margins). The probability of a Demons' finals appearance was infinitesimally small but, thanks to the Fremantle selectors producing the only sample of tanking AFL style for 2010, the possibility has just been thrown out of the window. The Dockers have taken the big gamble of flirting with their form in the penultimate game of the home and away season. If it backfires and they lose a home final then it will be a true case of Karma.

But what of Melbourne which travels across the border to take on Port Adelaide at a venue where it hasn't won a game in living memory er, well not since Round 2, 2001 (against the Crows). The club's last win over Port Adelaide came in Round 8 of the year before that.

So what chance the Demons after the loss at the hands of the Hawks managed to crush the life out of their last ditch bid to achieve an unlikely finals play-off?

Well, some of the Demonland Crew have spoken and here's what they have to say:-

"The Demons travel to Adelaide at the weekend with the mission of keeping alive their meagre finals prospects. The team will need every ounce of luck to remain in the race because they rely on the results of other games as well as their own ability to achieve a rare victory in a match played outside of their own state.

"I fully expect it to happen this week. Melbourne had no luck last week against Hawthorn. The weather didn't suit. The injury to Aaron Davey didn't help and the green maggots were disgraceful. This week, the worm will turn. We will win our first game in Adelaide for nine years, the Dockers will recover their form and beat the Hawks in Tassie and the Eagles will prevail in the West. I might even wake up from my dream." - Apocalypse XXXI

"The hoodoo.

"So many great gains made by the club this year, both on and off field and although a flicker of hope remains that we could possibly play finals, this is remote.

"There is still plenty to play for starting this week with Junior's 250th which takes on a bit more meaning due to his 'enforced' retirement today. Further and more pressing for the club as a whole is the need to break the AAMI stadium hoodoo by getting a long overdue win.

"2011 will bring so many expectations from the gains made this year. It would be nice to go into 2011 without the AAMI noose around our necks." - Demon Hill

"No Davey (or Joel Macdonald) and possibly no Moloney. The strain is on the Demon midfield and there's more pressure on those young players to produce.

"They need to neutralise the crowd and kick a score capable of winning the match.

"Against the Swans, Lions and Tigers they did just that and there's no reason why they can't do it again this week.

Dees by 16 points." - Mo Fine

"All hail the mighty skipper, Junior McDonald! Game number 250 and what a journey it has been for him. Having endured a painful time which all AFL players would prefer not to go through. A reconstruction of the knee followed by hours, days, months and arguably years of rehabilitation and recovery to get back; playing at a maximum level of consistently good football.

"A heartfelt congratulation is in order for Junior. It is indeed remarkable, just think, that having endured what he has gone through early in his career, missing out on the 2000 Grand Final and being able to play at the level for so long, twice B&F, All Australian and yet able to reach the 250th game milestone. He leads by example, and helps set the tone for his teammates by putting his head over the ball when in dispute, to win the contested hard ball and clearance, endlessly. His tackling is right up there with the best of them and certainly arguably the most consistent at the club; even at ~ 34 years of age. Who would dare mention he finish this year (GULP !).

"If ever Melbournefc had good enough reason to break a hoodoo in Adelaide, which seems to have gone on for an eternity against both tenants in Port Adelaide/Adelaide in Adelaide at AAMI. This is the one against Port Adelaide. But Junior would be the type of bloke who would insist his troops do it for themselves and importantly the club, not just for him. Because that's the type of bloke he is. He puts the interests of the team first and foremost.

"Melbourne by 25 points." - High Tower

THE GAME

Port Adelaide v Melbourne Sunday 22 August 2010 at 1:10pm at AAMI Stadium

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Port Adelaide 11 wins Melbourne 10 wins

At AAMI Stadium Port Adelaide 10 wins Melbourne 2 wins

Since 2000 Port Adelaide 9 wins Melbourne 7 wins

The Coaches Primus 0 wins Bailey 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports1 Live from 1.30

Radio ABC774 SEN

THE BETTING Port Adelaide to win $2.05 Melbourne to win $1.77

LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 17.9.111 defeated Port Adelaide 16.14.110 at TIO Stadium, Round 9, 2010

The Demons got off to an excellent start in the steamy Darwin heat and held what looked to be a match winning 33 point lead at the final break. Port Adelaide came back with a withering eight goal last quarter and captured the lead twice in the game's late stages. A tap through for a point by Jack Trengove from a bounce up in the goal square delivered a one point win for Melbourne. Brad Miller with five goals and Neville Jetta were the best of the Demons but neither will be playing for them on Sunday.

THE TEAMS

PORT ADELAIDE

Backs Paul Stewart Alipate Carlile Andrew Moore

Half backs Nick Salter Troy Chaplin Danny Meyer

Centreline Kane Cornes Domenic Cassisi Travis Boak

Half forwards Cameron Hitchcock Jay Schulz David Rodan

Forwards Justin Westhoff Daniel Stewart Brett Ebert

Followers Dean Brogan Danyle Pearce Robbie Gray

Interchange Matthew Broadbent Jay Nash Matt Thomas Jack Trengove

Emergencies Jason Davenport Marlon Motlop Michael Pettigrew

In Jay Nash Daniel Stewart

Out Jason Davenport (omitted) Tom Logan (concussion)

MELBOURNE

Backs Colin Garland Matthew Warnock Clint Bartram

Half backs Cameron Bruce James Frawley Jared Rivers

Centreline Brad Green James McDonald Nathan Jones

Half forwards Jack Watts Liam Jurrah Colin Sylvia

Forwards Austin Wonaeamirri Lynden Dunn Jamie Bennell

Followers Mark Jamar Jack Trengove Tom Scully

Interchange Jordie McKenzie Brent Moloney Cale Morton Michael Newton

Emergencies Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Paul Johnson

In Brent Moloney Cale Morton Michael Newton Matthew Warnock

Out Rohan Bail (omitted) Aaron Davey (leg) Paul Johnson (omitted) Joel Macdonald (ankle)

THE GAME IS BIGGER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL by Whispering Jack

On Sunday, James McDonald will become the seventh Demon to reach the 250 game mark in what will be his penultimate game for the club. He told me a few weeks ago that he wanted to continue as a player into 2011 but the game's harsh realities came home this week when the club's football department made the hard decision that it was time for him to go. Junior took that decision on the chin and he did it with the same class with which he has represented the club over almost a decade and a half. It's true that the game is bigger than the individual and this week's events proved it. Still, the example of selflessness set by James McDonald demonstrates who big the man is in the context of the game.

I was asked to provide a tribute to Junior elsewhere - here's the link - SALUTE TO AN ACCIDENTAL HERO

And for the record, I think the Demons will be far too strong and bring home a long awaited victory at AAMI Stadium.

Melbourne by 37 points.