THE PEOPLE SPEAK - THE TOP END GAME

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The quality of the contributions for this episode of "The People Speak" was outstanding. We gave The Oracle the job of putting together the Melbourne v Port Adelaide preview (with thanks and apologies to those who missed out).

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - THE TOP END GAME edited by The Oracle

Last week's bye gave Melbourne and its supporters plenty of time to reflect on the club's disappointing 64-point loss to the Western Bulldogs. A win would have given their top eight prospects a major boost but instead the Bombers and the Bulldogs appear to have stolen the march on Melbourne which, as one fired up maco states must restart its race to the Top Eight on Saturday night:

After a week or two, Saturday Night dawns upon us up in the hot, humid conditions that surround the home of Indigenous footy, TIO Stadium; a home away from home some may believe, with the strong connection of our multiple Aboriginal players and their community up North.

In a week in which player contracts have been mentioned constantly, Melbourne has provided its last punch in the Tom Scully saga, GWS have thrown caution into the wind and Eddie has once has opened his mouth, the time has come for the club to stand up as a whole.

These are the games where the players need to unite as one and stand up. The credibility of the club is on the line once again come the weekend.

Not only is the game expected to be a real toughie, it is amazing to see that no-body has talked up the fact that the Dees have had the chop out of the bye and should be refreshed and near peak physical condition to take on the lowly Power.

With their vast array of inconsistent players and the odd A grader, David Rodan, it is amazing to think that a team such as this is being talked up to win after abysmal performances for multiple weeks on end.

The danger men for Port clearly will be Schulz, Rodan, Chad Cornes going on last week, Robbie Gray and Travis Boak.

The match ups in order surely would have to be James Frawley, Jamie Bennell, Jack Watts at CHF, Luke Tapscott and Jordie McKenzie. If all of the above get on top of their opponents then the game could easily be in the Dees favour.

Men that need to fire for the Dees to win would have to be our indigenous boys, Liam especially and Mark Jamar has to get on top of the ageing warrior that is Dean Brogan.

People are wary of how dangerous Port can be in these conditions with the recent win there against the Tiges, but a win for them this week would put Melbourne right out of contention and have an under-fire Dean Bailey under further immense pressure.

A win for the Dees is paramount to keep alive the dream of September action.

Dees by 20 points

Striker475 considers a similar theme when looking at the game in terms of Money Money Money

A week is a long time in football.

Two weeks? Even longer.

It may have been my bad case of man flu, it may have been the cold, but it felt weird not having the Dees play as the march to the finals revs up.

And yet, we look at last week, where all news finished effectively for the Dees when a certain tackle was cleared, to now. Two men, key to this particular fixture and to the future have both already been in the news, albeit for different reasons. Both symbolise two great things about the Melbourne Football Club.

Their names? Austin Wonaeamirri and Tom Scully.

Aussie is part of the Indigenous 'brigade' at Melbourne. Along with Liam Jurrah, Aaron Davey, Neville Jetta, Jamie Bennell and rookie Kelvin Lawrence, they continue to deepen and enrich this club's great connection with the Indigenous community. The club has done great things for the indigenous people of our country, and continues to do so.

Saturday night, in a way, the Indigenous community says thanks. While its thanks are, of course, given regardless, it is noted by many that at TIO the bulk of the crowd will be Indigenous Australians. They cheer for every player, but the Indigenous players get a roar, regardless of their team colours.

Yes, the club does get a pay day from it. But it is a way to continue fostering a connection with these players now and into the future, to set up the structures to have more Indigenous talents ply their ways for the club.

Of course, other talents do so as well and the spotlight will surely shine on arguably the brightest of them this Saturday, Tom Scully.

Figures are being bandied about. Offers have been received. The question is being asked about the fact that there's a lot of hype about this 20-year-old. Will he stand up?

Port have only won two this year - and one was up here, against Richmond. They have more Darwin experience, yes - but are struggling no matter where they play.

Melbourne need the win to rally and continue their push for a spot in the eight.

The reality is that Port are in Struggletown right now. I can see them going close - depending on which Melbourne turns up but, honestly, I'm expecting a typical ten-goal Melbourne win.

Dees by 68.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Port Adelaide Saturday 16 July 2011 at TIO Stadium, Darwin 7.40pm AEST

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 10 wins Port Adelaide 12 wins

At TIO Stadium Melbourne 1 win Port Adelaide 0 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 7 wins Port Adelaide 10 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Primus 1 win

MEDIA

TV Channel 10 Live from 7.30 pm.

Radio

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $1.23 Port Adelaide to win $4.20

LAST TIME THEY MET

Port Adelaide 17.10.112 defeated Melbourne 11.17.83 Round 21, 2011 at the AAMI Stadium

Melbourne was overrun by a confident Port Adelaide under reasonably newly appointed coach Matthew Primus at AAMI Stadium which is not a happy hunting ground for the Demons.

Jay Schulz was a star up forward and Travis Boak and Dom Cassisi led the dominant Power midfield against a Melbourne team that was hopelessly off target up forward and out of sorts almost everywhere on the ground. The exceptions were Liam Jurrah who took mark of the year honours and booted four goals and Cameron Bruce who was coming to the end of his career in Demon colours.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs James Strauss James Frawley Daniel Nicholson

Half backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Nathan Jones

Centreline Jack Trengove Colin Sylvia Tom Scully

Half forwards Ricky Petterd Liam Jurrah Cale Morton

Forwards Brad Green Jack Watts Stefan Martin

Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Jordie McKenzie

Interchange Jordan Gysberts Jeremy Howe Addam Maric Luke Tapscott

Emergencies Clint Bartram Matthew Bate Max Gawn

In Addam Maric Luke Tapscott

Out Jamie Bennell Sam Blease (both omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE

Backs Tom Logan Jackson Trengove Cameron O'Shea

Half backs Nick Salter Troy Chaplin Hamish Hartlett

Centreline Ben Jacobs Travis Boak Kane Cornes

Half forwards David Rodan Jay Schulz Brett Ebert

Forwards Danyle Pearce Chad Cornes Robbie Gray

Followers Matthew Lobbe Domenic Cassisi Matt Thomas

Interchange Mitch Banner Hitchcock Michael Pettigrew Steven Salopek

Emergencies Matthew Broadbent Daniel Stewart Jacob Surjan

In Michael Pettigrew Steven Salopek

Out Matthew Broadbent Daniel Stewart (both omitted)

satyricon has come up with an interesting reason as to why Melbourne will win - "Because I will be leaning over the fence from my front row seat at TIO imploring them to".

I'm not sure that this view is strong enough from an objective viewpoint. On the other hand, DemonWA argues that "this is a game that all MFC supporters expect to win. Whether you think we can make finals or you are more measured about your 2011 expectations, a "home" game against the struggling Port Adelaide should get us the 4 points.

But is it that cut and dry?

Aside from back to back wins against the Dockers and Tigers, Melbourne’s form has been inconsistent to say the least. Couple this with the fact that the game being played at a ground other than the MCG and it starts to look like much more of a contest. Whilst no one doubts the Demons' potential, their desire and hunger to tackle and chase - to play at the level required at AFL standard in today’s game – is called into question every second week.

If the 'good Melbourne' turns up to play then it will win comfortably. If the 'insipid, Bruise-free (inset Buzz Term here)' Melbourne travels to TIO then the game becomes much more interesting.

The conditions will be beaten up by the media to no end. In reality the heat will be foreign to both teams. Match fitness shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of the guys who walk out onto the field at this stage of the season. The team that is willing to push through and work harder in the heat will win. Not the team that uses gloves, sweatbands, cool rooms etc.

Port won their last game at TIO – with a solid win over the Tigers. They will have earmarked this game as a good chance for a win, in what has been a disappointing season, so I’m expecting port to have a red hot crack.

I’m hoping the Dees turn up with a desire to tackle and chase; a desire to earn a win rather than turn up and win. If this is the case I'll back us in by 30 points after kicking away in the last."

High Tower reckons the game is about recharging the batteries:-

"The last time these two clubs met in Darwin, they played a cliff hanger with Jack Trengove providing the difference in hitting the ball through the goals for a behind and helping secure the 4 points.

Fast forward 12 months and the Demons are coming off the Round 16 Bye after 3 matches with 6 day breaks prior and Port Adelaide on the back of a Saints smashing in Adelaide in more ways than one. Port Adelaide went out with intent to unsettle the opposition to no avail.

Melbourne remain just outside the eight and if it has any finals aspirations in 2011 this game is a must win and then some.

Preparation will be a huge key to this game and Port Adelaide will be smarting having handed Richmond a lesson in Darwin not that long ago.

The Demons last game against the Bulldogs in Round 15 saw a disappointing Friday night result, where the Bulldogs outfit simply outplayed Melbourne through efficient ball use and their star players in Cooney, Boyd and Griffen in particular performing very well. The Demons whilst very young and somewhat inexperienced have had inconsistent results as expected from prudent judges this season (very few), but strive for consistency of good and fluent play as they have shown here and there in 2011. They meet a similar young group this Saturday night in Port Adelaide, who have some experienced players in Cassisi, Cornes, Gray, Chaplin, Ebert, Schulz, Rodan and equally some good young players in Hartlett, Boak, Pearce, Banner and Trengove.

Not only will preparation be important, but tactically for the Demons to obtain four premiership points they must come with the correct attitude and application that has seen it win 6 games this season to date. The midfield needs to perform better than it did against the Bulldogs. They need to execute and be as efficient as possible, which will not be easy in humid conditions in Darwin. The Power coach will note how Eade's Bulldogs dismantled the Melbourne midfield by nullifying Scully at stoppages with Liam Picken, and Hudson getting on top in the ruck. If Primus employs the same tactics with a Kane Cornes, I feel Tom Scully will eventually run him into the ground. So they will need to rotate on Scully in the heat, and Dean Bailey will equally be wanting Tom to work hard around the ground and break lines to create. Other Melbourne mids will need to lift their game collectively. Moloney, Jones, Sylvia in particular. Gysberts and McKenzie at stoppages and clearances. I expect others such as Trengove, Watts, Martin and Petterd who did ok last start, to be very important in obtaining the result this Saturday night. Win the midfield and this game is virtually won. Go forward and press and squeeze every ounce of power the Power may have.

Speaking of power, let's hope TIO Stadium has plenty of backup generators after the last farce in the Richmond v Port game.

A lot has been spoken on the GWS & Tom Scully saga, and at a guess there will be more, however I'm of the belief that all he wants to do is play the game he loves among his teammates.

Its games like this one, unique games. Even though it may be miles and miles away from the expanses of the MCG, the importance of teamwork, bonding, building relationships, sense of direction and team goals will come to the fore for many. Another small step in creating a winning environment.

Prediction: Dees back on the winner's list, by 26 points in a tough night at work."

THE LAST WORD

I'm going to leave the last word to Maldonboy38 who entertained us with some incisive training reports in the pre season. Now it's his turn to analyse the Top End game:-

"Melbourne should be planning to have the ball in their hands a lot, and play positive, strong football.

WE can't underestimate Port - they usually play 2 - 3 quarters of good footy and so do we so it is not going to be as easy as it appears on the surface.

But man for man we have a much more skilful starting 22, and a lot more grunt players (which in light of some recent efforts says a bit about Port). The sure hands of Gysberts, Trengove and Watts should be too much for them.

Dangers:

Schulz. Frawley should tear him apart, or Garland with his amazing spoiling attributes.

Gray. A really good footballer who is playing brilliant footy in a poor side.

Rodan. Bennell to run with him and run off him. Rodan is only quick off the mark - he can be caught after 10 metres or so. Bennell is quick off the mark and continues to accelerate. On recent form, Bennell does not deserve his place but it is horses for courses and he should play in Darwin."

There you have it and thanks to all of our contributors. I'll go along with the grain and tip the Dees to continue their unbeaten run at TIO (they won a NAB Cup game there against the Bulldogs a few years back and beat Port there last year). The Power's record at the ground is only 1-4 with the win against the Tigers their first in the Territory and we all know that game started in the dark. Not so this week.

Melbourne by 37 points.