GASP by The Oracle

[Demonland 73,140]

Whilst it's true that Richmond was in red hot form coming off a 79-point shellacking of Brisbane a week earlier, this week's opponent is absolutely white hot having demolished all before it this season including the Swans last week after a withering opening half. Before that, Ross Lyon's charges had beaten Port Adelaide in the season opener, Geelong at Simonds Stadium and crushed the Eagles in the local derby. That's a pretty comprehensive record against solid opposition in three of last year's finalists.

Melbourne's task this week looks even more daunting when one looks at its incredibly dismal recent record against Fremantle. There was a time not all that long ago, when these teams had a reasonably even record in games against each other but since their meeting at the G in mid-2011 when Melbourne demolished an injury-depleted opposition by 79 points, it's been a one way street in favour of the purple army with five consecutive routs, the closest game being a 34 point win to the Dockers at Etihad in 2012.

Since then, the Dees' highest score in four matches has been ... wait for it ... 40 points. For the record, here is the list of the last four strangulations inflicted upon them by Freo, the last three while Lyon has been the coach:

R16, 2014, Fremantle 15.7 (97) d Melbourne 4.10 (34) at TIO Stadium

R21, 2013, Fremantle 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 5.8 (38) at the MCG

R9, 2013, Fremantle 19.16 (130) d Melbourne 6.4 (40) at Subiaco Oval

R23, 2012, Fremantle 14.17 (101) d Melbourne 5.10 (40) at Subiaco Oval

That's an incredible average of 5 goals 8 behinds 38 points a game at three different venues against a team that boasts one of the biggest, strongest and best midfields in the game, to say nothing of its defence which kept last year's grand finallist, a team with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett in its forward line, down to one goal in the first half last week.

Gasp.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG Sunday 3 May 2015 at 1.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 13 wins Fremantle 19 wins

At MCG: Melbourne 7 wins Fremantle 5 wins

Last Five meetings: Melbourne 0 wins Fremantle 5 wins

The Coaches: Roos 0 wins Lyon 1 win

MEDIA

TV - Fox Footy Channel at 1:00pm (live)

Radio - SEN ABC ABC Grandstand

THE BETTING Melbourne $4.85 to win Fremantle $1.15 to win

LAST TIME THEY MET

Fremantle 15.7.97 defeated Melbourne 4.10.34 at TIO Stadium, Round 16, 2014

The Demons were at a low ebb in terms of confidence and self-belief and put in a shocker against the Dockers managing only a single goal in the opening half at TIO Stadium. Looking at the match stats, it was little wonder that the defeat was so comprehensive - Freo won the disposal count (392-315); marks (95-71) and inside 50s (60-32).

TEAMS

MELBOURNE

B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe

HB: Christian Salem, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes

C: Heritier Lumumba, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross

HF: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris

F: Jack Watts, Cameron Pedersen, Angus Brayshaw

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson

I/C: Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg

EMG: Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch

IN: Jack Grimes, Jordie McKenzie, Cameron Pedersen

OUT: Chris Dawes (calf), Neville Jetta (concussion), Dean Kent (hamstring)

FREMANTLE

B: Cameron Sutcliffe, Luke McPharlin, Lee Spurr

HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Nick Suban

C: Paul Duffield, Nat Fyfe, Matt de Boer

HF: Danyle Pearce, Matthew Pavlich, Matt Taberner

F: Zac Clarke, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters

FOLL: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Stephen Hill

I/C (from): Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale, Clancee Pearce

EMG: Hayden Crozier, Jack Hannath, Tendai Mzungu

IN: Hayden Ballantyne

OUT: Tendai Mzungu

This year the Fremantle Dockers have been the AFL's wrecking machine, taking all before them often with sneering contempt for any weakness in their opposition.

Unlike, the dour Freo sides of recent years they have been far more attacking this year but nevertheless are fully capable of suffocating the opposition when necessary as the Swans found out in the first half last week.

Freo has a midfield that is virtually peerless in the competition and they are certainly not dependent upon their superstar mid, Nat Fyfe. They have a combination of size and speed in Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill, David Mundy and Lachie Neale and the onballers get great service from their ruck division of Laurie Sandilands and Zac Clark. And that's not all, because they are great in all key positions as well as the flanks and wings.

So what chance is there then for Melbourne this week as it comes of the Anzac Eve high and returns to its more familiar territory in terms of time slots of a Sunday afternoon?

The Demons were solid in their last outing against Richmond but have been forced to make three changes due to injuries. The result is that despite having recruited well and with some promising youngsters finding their way in the game, they will have to produce a mighty effort to beat the top-of-the-ladder Dockers.

I think it would be premature to expect them to win this week.

Fremantle by 25 points.

[jnrmac 20,185]

Ouch that is depressing reading...