DAMAGE CONTROL by the Oracle

There's no greater challenge in football these days than to take on Geelong at Simonds Stadium at a time when they are on a roll having beaten fellow top four contenders in Hawthorn and Fremantle in the past fortnight..

At first sight, the clash between the second placed Cats and the second last Demons would in those circumstances be a game of little interest to most in the football world. Come to think of it, the same could be said of the game on second and third sight as well. In fact, one would probably be certified as a contender for the funny farm if one suggested that Melbourne could even trouble a rampant Geelong on its home turf at a stadium where the ground arrangements are such that only a handful of visiting supporters are able to attend and, even then, they must do so in complete anonymity.

This is a pity because while the local faithful will be paying homage to their hero Joel Selwood on his 150 AFL game milestone, many Melbourne fans will miss out on the opportunity to celebrate the chalking up of the identical number of games by two of their own favourites in Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia. Jeremy Howe will also play his 50th AFL game. Unfortunately, the trio hasn't tasted much success at all after making the long trip down the highway to this venue (perhaps Sylvia might have done so when he was a mere pup but that's it) and it won't happen on Saturday afternoon.

After all, Geelong has won 38 of its last 39 encounters at Simonds giving this veritable fortress the status of the most secure home ground in the country. And not a single Melbourne reader needs to be reminded that one of those 38 Geelong victories heralded two years of misery for their football club.

With the Demons coming out of the fog under a new coach, a young team and with some new found determination evident in recent weeks it would be nice to say that they could take the game up to the Cats, even in the way they fought it out against the Swans last weekend.

Unfortunately for Melbourne, the home team learned its lesson about complacency at the Gabba a few weeks ago and is unlikely to give an opponent an even break any time soon. In fact, it looks like a case of damage control with the bookies quoting $17.00 for the Dees to win. In that case, I think they will do well to keep the damage to under 50 points.

Geelong by 49 points.

THE GAME Geelong v Melbourne at Simonds Stadium on Saturday 13 July 2013 at 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Geelong 124 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws

At Simonds Stadium Geelong 36 wins Melbourne 17 wins 1 draw

Since 2000 Geelong 14 wins Melbourne 6 wins 1 draw

The Coaches Scott 0 Craig 0

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports 3 live at 2.00pm

RADIO Triple M 3AW

THE BETTING Geelong to win $1.01 Melbourne to win $17.00

LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 17.17.119 defeated Melbourne 11.10.76 at Simonds Stadium in Round 6, 2012

It was a dark and dreary day and the memory of the meeting between these teams ten months earlier hung over the teams which produced a dour spectacle. Geelong managed to shrug off the persistent Demons thanks to the dominance of Stevie J, Chappie & the JPod. The Cats won by 7 goals but for Melbourne, at least it was a 143-point improvement.

THE TEAMS

GEELONG

Backs Cameron Guthrie Harry Taylor Josh Hunt

Half backs Travis Varcoe Tom Lonergan Andrew Mackie

Centreline Taylor Hunt Joel Selwood Mitch Duncan

Half forwards Mathew Stokes James Podsiadly Billie Smedts

Forwards Josh Caddy Tom Hawkins Steven Motlop

Followers Dawson Simpson James Kelly Jimmy Bartel

Interchange Mark Blicavs Steve Johnson Jordan Murdoch Jesse Stringer

In Steve Johnson Travis Varcoe Billie Smedts

Out Allen Christensen (hamstring) Joel Corey (concussion) Corey Enright (foot)

MELBOURNE

Backs Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Dean Terlich

Half backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Mitchell Clisby

Centreline Jimmy Toumpas Jack Trengove Jack Grimes

Half forwards Sam Blease Jack Watts Matt Jones

Forwards Jack Fitzpatrick Chris Dawes Jeremy Howe

Followers Max Gawn Colin Sylvia Nathan Jones

Interchange Shannon Byrnes Aaron Davey Dean Kent Daniel Nicholson

Emergencies Jordie McKenzie

Cameron Pedersen David Rodan

In Sam Blease

Out David Rodan

THE YEAR SO FAR by Sam the Stats Man

It seems that things are looking up for the Demons although the results have yet to translate much on the scoreboard. Still, one win in the past three games is better than what we were getting earlier this year.

Here, is my look at the players statistically over the first fifteen rounds of 2013:-

BAIL, Rohan MFC 8 games, 4 goals, CSFC Seniors 3 games, 3 goals - after slowly overcoming issues with concussion, lost form and injured his knee after going down to Casey.

BARRY, Dominic CSFC Seniors 7 games, 2 goals, CSFC DL 3 games, 4 goals - well-spoken young man developing with the Scorpions.

BLEASE, Sam MFC 6 games, 3 goals, CSFC Seniors 6 games, 3 goals - struggled so far with form and injury.

BYRNES, Shannon MFC 11 games, 6 goals, CSFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals - mixed performances from the former Cat.

CLARK, Mitch MFC 4 games, 7 goals - injured after Round 4.

CLISBY, Mitch* MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 7 games 0 goals - has impressed in his three outings since being elevated from the rookie list.

COUCH, Tom * CSFC Seniors 9 games, 6 goals - starring at Casey but unable to get upgraded off the rookie list at the moment.

DAVEY, Aaron MFC 12 games, 13 goals, CSFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal - has had a better year than expected but still a way off his best.

DAVIS, Troy CSFC Seniors 9 games, 1 goal - on the cusp of getting a senior run. Has been moved forward at Casey, perhaps to test his versatility.

DAWES, Chris MFC 8 games, 9 goals, CSFC Seniors 2 games, 5 goals - starting to make an impact at the club after a preseason interrupted by injury.

DUNN, Lynden MFC 10 games, 3 goals, CSFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals - the regular team pest seems to have established a role down back.

EVANS, Michael MFC 9 games, 6 goals, CSFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal - was looking really good but a foot injury has put him out for a month.

FITZPATRICK, Jack MFC 5 games, 6 goals, 5 games, 16 goals - has broken into the AFL side and grabbed his chance. Developing cult hero status as a marking forward come relief ruckman.

FRAWLEY, James MFC 12 games, 0 goals - having a solid year as a key defender but there are some issues with his hammy.

GARLAND, Colin MFC 14 game, 1 goal - cream rising to the top as a valuable defender in a unit that's often under intense pressure.

GAWN, Max MFC 8 games, 7 goals, CSFC Seniors 5 games, 7 goals - really coming on well and promising to live up to his potential as a quality ruckman now that his injury woes appear to be behind him.

GILLIES, Tom MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 7 games, 0 goals - after a couple of lacklustre performances early on, he has settled down in the VFL but has competition in the key defensive posts.

GRIMES, Jack MFC 7 games, 1 goal - the skipper has missed a number of games with a broken collar bone and has only just returned.

HOGAN, Jesse ** CSFC Seniors 10 games, 30 goals - impressing with everything he does at Casey.

HOWE, Jeremy MFC 14 games, 22 goals - the team's top goal kicker is still a spectacular mark but also needs to impose himself more on every game.

JAMAR, Mark MFC 9 games, 2 goals - dominates the ruck but his output around the ground has been below average. Out of action with a foot injury.

JETTA, Neville MFC 4 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 5 games, 5 goals - seems to be struggling to rise above VFL level at this stage.

JONES, Matthew MFC 14 games, 2 goals - an inspired mature age draft selection who would be getting greater accolades for his debut if he was at a more successful club.

JONES, Nathan MFC 14 games, 6 goals - still the team's outstanding performer who is the first to face a tag each week.

KENT, Dean MFC 7 games, 3 goals, CSFC Seniors 5 games, 4 goals - taking small steps in the big fishbowl but showing more promise with every passing game.

MACDONALD, Joel MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 3 games, 0 goals - a toe injury has curtailed his season to date but is now ready to go.

McDONALD, Tom MFC 9 games, 0 goals - started the season slowly but has blossomed in recent weeks after coming back from injury.

MCKENZIE, Jordie MFC 8 games, 2 goals, CSFC Seniors 1 game, 0 goals - dogged by injury in recent times and also continues to have issues with his disposal.

MAGNER, James MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 9 games, 4 goals - had two games as an uplifted rookie but seems to have fallen out of favour.

NICHOLSON, Daniel MFC 9 games, 2 goals, CSFC Seniors 3 games, 0 goals - getting a run at AFL and showing some improvement.

PEDERSEN, Cameron MFC 7 games, 4 goals, CSFC Seniors 4 games, 1 goal - still struggles to hold a spot with the Demons but starring at Casey.

RODAN, David MFC 8 games, 2 goals, CSFC Seniors 4 games, 5 goals - a few plucky games from the little terrier.

SELLAR, James MFC 6 games, 1 goal, CSFC Seniors 4 game, 0 goals - struggling to hold down a place at AFL level.

SPENCER, Jake MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 7 games, 4 goals - was starting to show some form after breaking back into the side but now finds himself under a three-week suspension.

STARK, Nathan * CSFC DL 5 games, 1 goal - had a late start to the season due to injury, played a few games in the develop league and injured again.

STRAUSS, James MFC 4 games, 1 goal, CSFC Seniors 7 games, 2 goals disappointing in his fifth year at the club.

SYLVIA, Colin MFC 11 games, 6 goals - a reasonable season interrupted by a three week break through suspension.

TAGGERT, Rory CSFC Seniors 9 games, 11 goals, CSFC DL 1 game, 1 goal - a couple of good games at Casey could see him get an opportunity at the top level before the year is out.

TAPSCOTT, Luke MFC 10 games, 3 goals, CSFC Seniors 3 game, 9 goals - dropped in form as of late and is back with the Casey Scorpions.

TERLICH, Dean MFC 13 games, 0 goals - a revelation who keeps improving week by week in defence.

TOUMPAS, Jimmy MFC 8 games, 0 goals, CSFC Seniors 3 games, 1 goal - slowly coming to grips with AFL football. Has shown glimpses of the sublime skills that made him an early draft pick.

TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 12 games, 8 goals - interrupted preseason and poor early but is gradually returning to the standards of his first two seasons.

TYNAN, Josh CSFC Seniors 9 games, 2 goals, CSFC DL 2 games, 0 goals - slow start but making up lost ground quickly with the Scorpions.

VINEY, Jack MFC 6 games, 1 goal - showed some promise before injuring his toe and missing several weeks.

WATTS, Jack MFC 10 games, 12 goals - coming good after a dirty start.

WESTRUPP, Maia ** CSFC DL 5 games, 0 goals - New Zealander learning the trade with the Casey development league team.

* rookie listed

** special category

Rodan out but Byrnes still in?

Why?

Good to see Blease back.

This is hands down our hardest game of the season. Another effort like last week would be extremely positive.

I am suffering a major case of 'withdrawal'. When is Spencil clear to play?

I dream of a team (not Casey) with Spencil, Gawn and Frisky Fitzy all running around.

Blease for Rodan is good. I reckon we left Byrnes in to teach him a lesson about the Geelong style of play.

Pedersen an emergency with Frawley under an injury cloud. Uh-oh.

Rodan out but Byrnes still in?

Why?

Good to see Blease back.

This is hands down our hardest game of the season. Another effort like last week would be extremely positive.

Probably because Byrnes touched it 7 times in one quarter while Rodan touched it 15 times in four. It'll be immaterial to our fortunes anyway I'd think.

Rodan just doesn't work hard enough around the ground for my likings despite his ability at the clearances - which is good but still got smashed by Sydney in that regard.

I think it's time we go in with Jones, Sylvia, Grimes, Trengove, M. Jones, Toumpas, Blease and Nicholson tagging (or a sneaky inclusion of McKenzie from the emerg list) as our midfielders. They are the guys who we hope are around for the future so let's see how they go.

This is also a seriously quick Geelong line up. Probably quicker they even need because they'll look to introduce Rivers, Christensen, Enright and maybe a couple of others in for finals who aren't in the side but it's important to have the speed and run to keep up.

We don't have the difference makers in the midfield and up forward to win this game but if we really work as hard as we can to turn it into a pressure game and slog for Geelong with the ball and if we can string some patches of play like the last couple of weeks together at least we can make it a game that at the end of the day we have got something from.

Pizzed myself when I saw the inclusion for WC

WEST COAST

In: A.Smith, C.Morton, S.Lycett, B.Wilson, A.Carter

The big brut CM has made it in although final team still to be decided.

Pedersen an emergency with Frawley under an injury cloud. Uh-oh.

Would you feel any better if it was Sellar or Davis? I wouldn't! Here's hoping Chip is right to go and gets through the game

I am suffering a major case of 'withdrawal'. When is Spencil clear to play?

I dream of a team (not Casey) with Spencil, Gawn and Frisky Fitzy all running around.

Blease for Rodan is good. I reckon we left Byrnes in to teach him a lesson about the Geelong style of play.

You dream of a loss? Because those 3 in one side is a big liability! Although I'd like to see the Spencer/Fitzy combo get a run just to see awkward giraffes moving at breakneck speed.

I think Byrnes is in because he's got something to prove. No that Geelong are at all doubting themselves - you only have to look at Motlop, Caddy, Murdoch, Stringer etc.... to see they have younger and better options at his position but still Byrnes will feel like he's got a point to prove. He started to season ok showing his run and ball use was possibly better than a lot of our players but since he's really starting to look like a guy incapable of impacting AFL. I'd like to see him impact this game in someway either with a big tackle or courageous piece of play.

Pizzed myself when I saw the inclusion for WC

WEST COAST

In: A.Smith, C.Morton, S.Lycett, B.Wilson, A.Carter

The big brut CM has made it in although final team still to be decided.

I really hope he's done enough to get in. The heat of a derby sounds like the perfect place for him to demonstrate his skills and hardness.

Also from West Coast this piece of memorabilia puts Channel 9 cricket to shame. Who would buy this crap - https://shopdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product&CategoryID=572&ProductID=36267&OrgID=1753

I am trying really hard not to think about this game.

oh great Steve Johnson back in

always completely flogs us

Can someone please find and post the lineup.

Thanks

Can someone please find and post the lineup.

Thanks

FB 29 Cameron Guthrie 7 Harry Taylor 8 Josh Hunt

FF 48 Jack Fitzpatrick 6 Chris Dawes 38 Jeremy Howe

HB 5 Travis Varcoe 13 Tom Lonergan 4 Andrew Mackie

HF 17 Sam Blease 4 Jack Watts 45 Matt Jones

C 19 Taylor Hunt 14 Joel Selwood 22 Mitch Duncan

C 5 Jimmy Toumpas 9 Jack Trengove 31 Jack Grimes

HF 27 Mathew Stokes 31 James Podsiadly 2 Billie Smedts

HB 25 Tom McDonald 8 James Frawley 50 Mitchell Clisby

FF 23 Josh Caddy 26 Tom Hawkins 32 Steven Motlop

FB 14 Lynden Dunn 20 Colin Garland 46 Dean Terlich

FOLLOWERS

16 Dawson Simpson

9 James Kelly

3 Jimmy Bartel

FOLLOWERS

37 Max Gawn

12 Colin Sylvia

2 Nathan Jones

INTERCHANGE

21 Jordan Murdoch

46 Mark Blicavs

20 Steve Johnson

41 Jesse Stringer

INTERCHANGE

34 Dean Kent

26 Daniel Nicholson

36 Aaron Davey

10 Shannon Byrnes

EMERGENCIES

12 Trent West

1 Mitch Brown

33 George Horlin-Smith

EMERGENCIES

13 Jordie McKenzie

21 Cameron Pedersen

15 David Rodan

Edited July 11, 201312 yr by DemonOX

It's nice to have had a few weeks with minimal changes. Continuity and stability is so important.

It's nice to have had a few weeks with minimal changes. Continuity and stability is so important.

its also extremely nice that Chip is OK

I just watched the replay of the sydney game for the second time after attending the game on Sunday

Get rid of Nicholson NOW!

without saying a win as that is completely out of the question, what is a good result this weekend for the dees?

I think if we get within 11 goals its a "win"

oh great Steve Johnson back in

always completely flogs us

In Garlo we trust.

Seems every week out team is looking stronger.

I like the look of the team.

Gee great Nicholson is on the bench fantastic!

Seems every week out team is looking stronger.

I like the look of the team.

just wish we could get big Mitch back out there

just wish we could get big Mitch back out there

With Viney whom i wish wasnt injured.

With Viney whom i wish wasnt injured.

He isn't anymore Deano he is playing in the reserves this weekend. Hopefully back next wk

Still bemused by no McKenzie, no Strauss, no Jetta and no Tapscott but Nicholson and Byrnes get a game.

I'm loving Craig, and stability in team selection is good, but we have to give these guys a go. Everyone has improved under Craig, and I'm excited to see if the above 4 can as well.

Byrnes is not a long term prospect, and unless Nicholson fixes his kicking, neither is he.

How Shannon Bynes gets a game in front of Rodan should be the stuff of judicial enquiry.

Rodan one of our best two weeks ago and not that bad last week!

This is a horrid decision!

David Rodan. Sorry about your treatment, I think you have grounds for complaint!