MELBOURNE

Backs James Strauss James Frawley Joel MacDonald

Half backs Nathan Jones Jared Rivers Jack Trengove

Centreline Tom Scully Ricky Petterd Jeremy Howe

Half forwards Colin Sylvia Jack Watts Cale Morton

Forwards Liam Jurrah Max Gawn Brad Green

Followers Stefan Martin Brent Moloney Jordie McKenzie

Interchange (from) Jamie Bennell Clint Bartram Lynden Dunn Michael Evans Colin Garland Jordan Gysberts Daniel Nicholson

In Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Daniel Nicholson Ricky Petterd

Out Neville Jetta (hand)

CHAOS by The Blogger

A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon basin. Years later, a volcano erupts in Chile after laying dormant for nearly half a century shooting a plume of ash and gas ten kilometres skywards and then a week later the AFL is thrown into chaos.

It started in this part of the world on Sunday when the ash arrived from Puyehue settling over this continent after a journey sweeping the upper atmosphere across thousands of miles of ocean, disrupting the airways and the three travelling AFL teams on the day. Brisbane, Richmond and Essendon all crashed in a heap, victims of the curse of Puyehue.

Inevitably, the curse will strike again this week.

The Dockers are already in trouble. Mundy and Ballantyne are two wearers of the purple haze who normally strike fear in Demon hearts but they won't be there after suffering injuries when the ash cloud hovered all day over Subiaco. Nor will Sandilands who, standing 211cm above ground level, is hardly a favourite of the crowds at the MCG. He should have been back this match but for that curse.

Oh, the chaos!

Coming off an 88-point humiliation against the premiers who had gaping holes in their line up would not normally fill Melbourne fans with glee but it can't be helped this week. They can rejoice for Mother Nature and the spirits have applied a curse on all teams that travel to play on the Sabbath this week.

The bottom line is that Fremantle simply doesn't stand a chance.

THE GAME Melbourne v Fremantle at The MCG - Sunday, 19 June 2011 at 1.10pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 12 wins Fremantle 14 wins

MCG Melbourne 6 wins Fremantle 4 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 8 wins Fremantle 10 wins

The Coaches

Bailey 2 wins Harvey 2 wins

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports1 Live at 1.00pm

RADIO SEN K-Rock ABC774

THE BETTING Melbourne $1.60 Fremantle $2.65

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Fremantle 11.16.82 defeated Melbourne 10.11.71 Round 16, 2010 at Subiaco Oval

The Dockers got off to a flyer at Subiaco and, at the half, led by six goals against what appeared to be an inept Melbourne team. It was Colin Sylvia who turned things around with a brilliant second half but Melbourne squandered a few chances. Jack Watts missed from a difficult angle and then Ballantyne kicked his fourth to seal the game for the home side.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs James Strauss James Frawley Joel MacDonald

Half backs Nathan Jones Jared Rivers Jack Trengove

Centreline Tom Scully Ricky Petterd Jeremy Howe

Half forwards Colin Sylvia Jack Watts Cale Morton

Forwards Liam Jurrah Max Gawn Brad Green

Followers Stefan Martin Brent Moloney Jordie McKenzie

Interchange Jamie Bennell Clint Bartram Colin Garland Jordan Gysberts

Emergencies Lynden Dunn Michael Evans Daniel Nicholson

In Colin Garland Ricky Petterd

Out Neville Jetta (hand) Michael Evans

FREMANTLE

Backs Antoni Grover Luke McPharlin Greg Broughton

Half backs Garrick Ibbotson Michael Johnson Paul Duffield

Centreline Jesse Crichton Matthew Pavlich Nathan Fyfe

Half forwards Tendai Mzungu Kepler Bradly Ryan Crowley

Forwards Stephen Hill Christopher Mayne Clancee Pearce

Followers Jonathon Griffin Nick Lower Matthew de Boer

Interchange Michael Barlow Benjamin Bucovaz Zachary Clarke Clayton Hinkley

Emergencies Josh Mellington Rhys Palmer Jay Van Berlo

In Michael Barlow Benjamin Bucovaz

Out Hayden Ballentyne (hamstring) David Mundy (foot)

I suppose it might smack a little of desperation when the best you can do to motivate yourself for a game of football is to invoke ancient spirits carried halfway across the planet on volcanic ash but, let's face it - it's bloody hard being a Demon fan. There's no consistency in the way your team plays except for its inconsistency.

That's the way of the world for the Melbourne Football Club. The team teases and titillates. It has lost four of its last five games and has dropped from eighth place to tenth and still remains a game out of the top eight.

Like the Dockers, the Demons have sadly missed their All Australian ruckman. In Melbourne's case, Mark Jamar's return this week would have been most welcome because he would have brought with him strength and experience, something that has certainly been missing in spades in recent weeks. Instead, the Dockers will front up to Stef Martin and the next tallest man in the game after the missing Sandilands. A reversal of roles for the purple haze!

There will be an infusion of players with stronger bodies and some added experience from the winning Casey team but will it be enough against the plucky Dockers?

Yes, I think so. Melbourne might not fare well against the competition's traditional sides but against the interstate clubs - especially the quirky ones on their home turf, the Dees can hold their own.

I can see it all now. The teams are locked together late in the game. Freo draws ahead by five points in time on and then ...

Ash clouds billow over the ground which is suddenly covered in a dark, foggy purple shroud under a shimmering red sun. As the pall lifts, there are 43 players in the Dockers half of the ground and ... shock, horror ... a lone Demon named Liam Jurrah is in his team's forward half surging toward goal with the football under his arm.

He kicks truly, the siren sounds, Melbourne wins by a single point and high above the ground a butterfly flaps its wings.

Apparently the ash cloud has thrown a doubt over Max Gawn's availability

I'm guessing Evans, Nicholson and Bennell out.

Dunn as sub.

No Jamar?

Bugger. I really wanted to see Cook come in this week and have a run in the seniors.

Phew, I was worried Bate would be included in the squad.

Ricky straight in.

I'm guessing Evans, Nicholson and Bennell out.

Dunn as sub.

I'd rather see Bennell as sub and Dunn not play. Otherwise your guess is my preference.

Dunn's had plenty of chances before and not taken them.

Bugger. I really wanted to see Cook come in this week and have a run in the seniors.

Me too. I guess the FD think his tank isn't quiet big enough yet.

Watching Casey last weekend, he did look bloody tired. He was down on his haunches a lot.

Good sign though, at least he's already working his arse off.

With no Gawn, you would expect that Dunn will play as a part-time ruck.

Gawn is listed to play! Or do u know something we don't

No Jamar

Bugger. I really wanted to see Cook come in this week and have a run in the seniors.

So did I, he must be really close to getting his shot.

Dunn in, takes that spot for a tall into that squad, and a bit more run. bennell for Sub I think, or Garland,,,, but with Dunn pushing up and better fitness, I'm inclined to think it s Dunn rather than Garland at this stage.

I like it with Trenners named on the back Flank,,, I hope it's howe we go.

Gawn is listed to play! Or do u know something we don't

Might have been referring to my post which was an attempt at humour which went over heads or was just plain not funny.

For the sake of my self esteem I will take the former.

Bennell has been very good defensively the last few weeks. I'd be surprised if he was dropped.

Given Petterd has been named in the 18 it seems likely he's a definite in for Jetta.

Garland is best 22 so he should play if fit, and I'd drop Evans.

Might have been referring to my post which was an attempt at humour which went over heads or was just plain not funny.

For the sake of my self esteem I will take the former.

I liked it.

Here's how I'd line them up.

B: Strauss, Frawley, Garland

HB: Nicholson, Rivers, Macdonald

C: Scully, Trengove, Morton

HB: Sylvia, Watts, Howe

F: Petterd, Jurrah, Green

R: Martin, Moloney, McKenzie

INT: Gawn, Gysberts, Jones

S: Bennell

EMER: Bartram, Dunn, Evans

IN: Petterd, Garland, Nicholson

OUT: Jetta (hand), Evans, Bartram

I think Nicholson deserves his chance over Bartram, and if Garland is right to play then he should. Evans is a bit unlucky. Petterd for Jetta is an obvious change. I don't think Dunn has done enough, pardon the pun. His 5 goals were nice, but a lot came pretty easily.

Evans is a bit unlucky.

Really? I reckon he was on the fringe last week and, from what I could tell, didn't do much versus Collingwood. After having 3-4 games at AFL level it wouldn't be so bad to head back to the VFL.

Next week: IN: Tapscott, Jamar. The Tiges are in trouble

Apparently the ash cloud has thrown a doubt over Max Gawn's availability

hahahaha

Bennell has been very good defensively the last few weeks. I'd be surprised if he was dropped.

Bob, the only game I saw him try to do some work 'inside' was against the Dons. He took it on on even through the heavy traffic to pinch the ball & dash...

I don't see how we can carry 2 floaters that like to skirt the action looking for spilt tidbits thrown out from the scrimage, when were getting constantly beaten in the contested football. (Morton or Bennell) Bennell for me as he gives some urgency and can kick when confident. But we can't carry passengers who won't put the Heat Up the opposition.

Thats why I like to keep Nicholson who's not afraid to mix it up down and dirty for the contested ball, & will give run & dash.

Evans as well loves the contested stuff and it seems his skills are OK. He gives some movement and Run as well.

So I like Bennell this week as a Sub: following a poor game while Morton to get one more chance. I think Jurrah will go 'missing' with a calf allowing Petterd to move into the forward zone. Dunn as well to put forwardline defensive pressure into our side, so I think Garland will miss one more.

Gawn is listed to play! Or do u know something we don't

Woops, my mistake, didn't pick him up at ... Full Forward. Pleased for the big guy.

As you were.

Given Petterd has been named in the 18 it seems likely he's a definite in for Jetta.

Garland is best 22 so he should play if fit, and I'd drop Evans.

I agree.

I really don't think Garland is ready to come in.

He seemed pretty rusty last week.

Bob, the only game I saw him try to do some work 'inside' was against the Dons. He took it on on even through the heavy traffic to pinch the ball & dash...

I don't see how we can carry 2 floaters that like to skirt the action looking for spilt tidbits thrown out from the scrimage, when were getting constantly beaten in the contested football. (Morton or Bennell) Bennell for me as he gives some urgency and can kick when confident. But we can't carry passengers who won't put the Heat Up the opposition.

Thats why I like to keep Nicholson who's not afraid to mix it up down and dirty for the contested ball, & will give run & dash.

Evans as well loves the contested stuff and it seems his skills are OK. He gives some movement and Run as well.

So I like Bennell this week as a Sub: following a poor game while Morton to get one more chance. I think Jurrah will go 'missing' with a calf allowing Petterd to move into the forward zone. Dunn as well to put forwardline defensive pressure into our side, so I think Garland will miss one more.

Dee-luded I agree with your comments on Bennell however not sure why you want him in at all.

The guy was the sub vs north came on when everyone else had played half a game.

Nett result no impact!

I really don't think Garland is ready to come in.

He seemed pretty rusty last week.

I agree AB he was on and off last week and still did not look to me like he was moving freely.

I think he is still far from fit.