SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS by Whispering Jack

Looking ahead at Melbourne's draw beyond this week's game against the Western Bulldogs does not exactly fill one with any great confidence. The rest of the first half of the season promises to be an even greater nightmare than what has transpired over the past three weeks.

The potential weekly fare of games against top eight contenders from rounds five through to eleven (all inclusive) reads like this - St Kilda, Geelong, Hawthorn, Sydney, Carlton, Essendon, and Collingwood. This scenario makes a win this week against fellow cellar dwellers, the Western Bulldogs, absolutely an imperative.

As if it wasn't imperative anyway in view of the fact that the club has designated this match to commemorate one of its great heroes - a man recently acknowledged as its most popular former players ahead of such greats as Ron Barassi, Robert Flower and its many other heroes of the past.

The sad thing for Melbourne is that both on and off the field, things have not been good. The off field dramas, injury and now the suspension of one of its captains has been mirrored by its performances on the ground. The loss at the hands of the West Coast Eagles in Perth might have been expected (if not its size) but the performances against both Brisbane (by 41 points) and Richmond (by 59 points) were unacceptable.

In those cases it wasn't the size of the defeats alone that made them so remarkably disappointing but the shameful way in which the team capitualted in the second half of each game. To be blown off the park in such a mistake-riddled and passionless way is unacceptable. They are being run off their feet and look tired and supporters ask what has been done to prepare the players in terms of their skills and their fitness to take on the rest of the competition?

We are searching for answers.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at MCG Sunday 22 April 2012 at 4.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 83 wins Western Bulldogs 70 wins 1 draw

At MCG: Melbourne 43 wins Western Bulldogs 25 wins

Since 2000: Melbourne 10 wins Western Bulldogs 10 wins

The Coaches: Neeld 0 wins McCartney 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Foxtel Footy Channel (live at 4.30pm)

Radio SEN ABC774 3AW Triple M

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $3.00 Western Bulldogs $1.40

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 19.13.127 defeated Melbourne 8.15.63 in Round 15, 2011 at Etihad Stadium

This was a vital must win game for the Demons which at that stage of the season was considered a chance to figure in the finals. Against the then out of form Bulldogs they meekly capitualted in what was to become a forerunner of a number of disappointing efforts that have since dogged the club. Apart from Ricky Petterd's hanger early in the game, it was a night to forget.

TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs James Frawley Jared Rivers Clint Bartram

Half backs Rohan Bail Colin Garland Luke Tapscott

Centreline Matthew Bate Brent Moloney Nathan Jones

Half forwards Jordie McKenzie Jack Watts Jeremy Howe

Forwards Tom McDonald Mitchell Clark Aaron Davey

Followers Mark Jamar James Magner Jack Trengove

Interchange Lynden Dunn Joel Macdonald Cale Morton James Sellar

Emergencies Thomas Couch Jack Fitzpatrick Ricky Petterd

In Joel Macdonald Brent Moloney

Out Jack Grimes (suspended) Stef Martin

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Backs Dylan Addison Lukas Markovic Robert Murphy

Half backs Easton Wood Ryan Hargrave Patrick Veszpremi

Centreline Luke Dahlhaus Matthew Boyd Daniel Cross

Half forwards Adam Cooney Liam Jones Daniel Giansiracusa

Forwards Justin Sherman Ayce Cordy Nathan Djerrkura

Followers William Minson Ryan Griffen Liam Picken

Interchange Jarrad Grant Shaun Higgins Jordan Roughead Mitchell Wallis

Emergencies Mark Austin Tory Dickson Thomas Liberatore

In Justin Sherman Patrick Veszpremi Mitchell Wallis

Out Brian Lake (suspension) Thomas Liberatore Clay Smith (soreness)

Umpires Wenn Armstrong Bannister

EXPOSED FORM

I would really like to say that Melbourne has a chance to win against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday but there's no evidence available anywhere that could convince me that we're in for a sudden turn around of form. That's how bad things have been at Melbourne lately.

I can't point to the emotion of the day on which the Melbourne Football Club and the community in general celebrates the life of a club hero and iconic figure in the late Jim Stynes. A few weeks ago, the Demon faithful lined up and clapped their hands in appreciation of the man and his achievements. The team responded by giving very little on their home ground against lowly opposition. Their form since has given not a glimmer of hope or even some emotion to enthuse us about. They have been exposed as playing without soul. They make errors, they fail to tackle when tackles should be laid, they commit skill errors that indicate a lack of concentration. If all this is attributed to a change in style of play, then their rate of progress is at snail's pace. We might expect some improvement later this year or in the next. Not this week.

I can't point to the changes in the make up of the side to inspire a turn around from a 10 goal defeat at the hands of Richmond. The team lacked run last week. Brent Moloney and Joel Macdonald are experienced campaigners and while the former is reigning club champion, the exposed form of this duo is not going to make much difference in the run of a team that's been hitting the wall halfway through a marathon.

I can't point to the fact that this week's opposition is winless, lacking in confidence, also struck down by injury and suspension and had only two goals on the board deep into their last game. The Doggies always seem to come up with a hero to inspire them - even if it's a once a year performance from someone like Adam Cooney who did the job last year.

The only thing I can point to is divine providence inspired by Jimmy using some influence upstairs but since my brief in previewing games is to stick purely with logic, facts and exposed form and I have yet to find the answers I'm searching for, then it will be the Western Bulldogs by a fair margin.

SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS by Whispering Jack

The only thing I can point to is divine providence inspired by Jimmy using some influence upstairs but since my brief in previewing games is to stick purely with logic, facts and exposed form and I have yet to find the answers I'm searching for, then it will be the Western Bulldogs by a fair margin.

I wouldn't rely too much on divine providence.

We have the worst record for performances in milestone / retirement / memorium games