MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - Round 10

[Demonland 74,467]

DEFYING HISTORY by Whispering Jack

I was surprised to read that Melbourne started the week as a firm favourite to beat Port Adelaide in this Saturday's indigenous round game at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs. 

The Demons might have a slight edge on Port in terms of recent form but both clubs are close in ladder terms and are equally motivated to win in order to stay in touch with the top eight. While the Demons are nominally the home team, the visiting side is domiciled closer to its own home base, therefore having less travel to get to the venue and it also has history on its side. 

The Power have won at both of their meetings at this ground and beaten the Demons on all three occasions since Paul Roos became coach at Melbourne. In addition, despite its last start win at the MCG against the Brisbane Lions, the "home" team has such an abysmal record when starting as favourite that it cannot be said with confidence that it is a sure thing to beat a team containing the likes of Robbie Gray, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines. I heard somewhere that the latter player apparently originally wanted to be drafted to Melbourne to join his mate Jack Viney so every time he plays against them, he likes to really turn it on.

The ruck battles will be interesting with the Demons holding the edge through 208cm Max Gawn who should be too good for the Port ruckmen although some are calling for the overworked Gawn to be rested in the light of the fact that Port have been relying on an undersized Jackson Trengove in that department. In recent weeks, Max has been pushed from pillar to post and double teamed in an attempt to rough him up. Last week, the umpires didn't seem to notice and the opposition will continue to try as long as they can get away with the tactic. Gawn doesn't need a rest - he needs assistance. The big man has been a vital cog in the team's resurgence and leaving him out of a game that's important as this one should not even be considered.

Port Adelaide also goes into the game with the edge in experience which can be a double edged sword when both teams are traveling away from the comfort of their own home. It's always good to have cool, seasoned heads but the young Melbourne team these days (nine of its players last week had not played more than 20 AFL games) is so compelling and so full of enthusiasm when it gets going. Of course, that doesn't always help but I'm tipping Melbourne to defy history and win its first game ever at Traeger Park.

THE GAME Melbourne v Port Adelaide on Saturday 28 May, 2015 at 1.10pm (AEST) at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 11 wins Port Adelaide 18 wins

At TIO Traeger Park Melbourne 0 wins Port Adelaide 2 wins

Past five meetings Melbourne 0 wins Port Adelaide 5 wins

The Coaches Roos 0 wins Hinkley 3 wins

MEDIA

TV - Fox Sports 3 live at 2.00pm

RADIO - SEN ABC ABC Grandstand 

THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $1.70 Port Adelaide to win - $2.15

THE LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 18.7.115 defeated Melbourne 8.6.54 Round 9 at TIO Traeger Park

Melbourne started like a house on fire and held a four goal lead at one stage during the second quarter. At that point however, the house burned down. 

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE 

B: Josh Wagner, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta

HB: Tomas Bugg, Oscar McDonald, Colin Garland

C: Billy Stretch, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince 

HF: Dean Kent, Jack Watts, Jeff Garlett

F: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Ben Kennedy

FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney

I/C: James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen, Ben Newton 

EMG: Chris Dawes, Jack Grimes, Viv Michie 

IN: Neville Jetta, Dom Tyson

OUT: Viv Michie (omitted), Clayton Oliver (quad)

PORT ADELAIDE

B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jack Hombsch, Jasper Pittard 

HB: Nathan Krakouer, Cam O'Shea, Matthew Broadbent

C: Jared Polec, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert

HF: Jake Neade, Justin Westhoff, Hamish Hartlett 

F: Aaron Young, Charlie Dixon, Chad Wingard 

FOLL: Jackson Trengove, Travis Boak, Robbie Gray

I/C: Karl Amon, Dougal Howard, Jarman Impey, Paul Stewart 

EMG: Brendon Ah Chee, Logan Austin, Sam Gray

IN: Dougal Howard

OUT: Tom Jonas (suspended)

[Blistering 545]

On 25 May 2016 at 2:14 PM, Demonland said:

THE LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 18.7.115 defeated Melbourne 8.6.54 Round 9 at TIO Traeger Park

Melbourne started like a house on fire and held a four goal lead at one stage during the second quarter. At that point however, the house burned down. 

Best and most concise description of that game that I've read.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

1 hour ago, Blistering said:

Best and most concise description of that game that I've read.

I'd forgotten we had lost by that much in the end.

[Lucifers Hero 40,746]

Paul Roos expects key defender Tom McDonald to commit to the Demons beyond 2016

Some recent pics probably the last training session.

Jack Trengove at Melbourne training on Thursday, he’ll need to wait another week for his return. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Roos says that approach will be applied to all his young crop.

“It’s something we have to keep on monitoring over the next month until we get to the bye because, being a young team, you never know when they’re going to hit a bit of a wall,” he said.

Roos will bring Dom Tyson (illness) and Neville Jetta (suspension) back into his team for the Round 10 match, but ruled out two returning Demons — Jack Trengove, who has missed more than 50 AFL games with a serious foot issue, and Chris Dawes, who is back in the VFL after a calf complaint.

“(Trengove) is not too far,” Roos said.

“You factor in the travel ... we want to give Jack a real chance when he does play to be able to play really well.

“We win last week and it’s hard to make changes ... (Dawes) is certainly getting really close.”

Clayton Oliver at training on Thursday. He’s been ruled out of this weekend’s game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts work on their contested marking. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Coach Paul Roos directs Colin Garland and his players. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Christian Petracca works on his touch. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Woops! Skipper Nathan Jones slips during training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

 

 

[What 18,810]

8 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

  

Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts work on their contested marking. Picture: Wayne Ludbey    

 

 

Wattsy rag-dolling Hoges like hes nothing.  And has Hoges shaved his hair off or am I seeing things?

[Members' Wing 1,106]

Tyson and Jetta in for Michie and Oliver.

[whatwhat say what 23,880]

And Doug Howard in for them, meaning Trengove goes back to replace the suspended Jonas.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,335]

Surprised no backup for Big Max, must have faith in Killa...Michie unlucky I`d have thought but understandable

[Bleasey as that 136]

Anyone know if Pedo is still crook? I thought or forward structure particularly in the first half looked out of whack without him there....and of course I would prefer not to have Wattsy pinch hit in the ruck.

[DemonOX 8,857]

12 minutes ago, Members' Wing said:

Tyson and Jetta in for Michie and Oliver.

Thought there would have been more changes tbh. 

We better not look tired and have to listen to after the game "yeah we probably should have put a couple more fresh players in"! 

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,335]

Dawes, Michie n Grimes emergencies

[Skuit 10,031]

So we've solved the Frost/Pedo conundrum.

[Gorgoroth 13,220]

Dawes a travelling emergency.

[Clintosaurus 7,953]

Betting is now $1.90 each of two. Must be solid info on outs etc for Port to be heavily backed.

[Bravo Oliver, Bravo 182]

11 minutes ago, Skuit said:

So we've solved the Frost/Pedo conundrum.

lol

I for one am happy with the stability.

[Bleasey as that 136]

6 minutes ago, dee_maso said:

lol

I for one am happy with the stability.

Wouldn't you prefer Watts up forward rather than rucking?

[DemonOX 8,857]

2 minutes ago, Bleasey as that said:

Wouldn't you prefer Watts up forward rather than rucking?

He did both last weekend. 

[olisik 4,060]

What Jackson Trengoves contract situation? Could use a player like him 

[Bleasey as that 136]

8 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

He did both last weekend. 

Yes he did. I would definitely prefer him to only be used as a forward though.

[CHF 2,825]

No game for Casey this week as I understand it so I would expect that we would take all three emergencies. I believe Gus Brayshaw is travelling up there with the team.

Never know we may swing some late changes.

Next week for the hawks, win or lose, I would expect 3 or 4 changes to take place just to rest some tired bodies.

 

[Nasher 33,686]

Pleased enough with that - the side is very settled, no changes at all around the edges. Thought Pedersen might come back, but happy to live with out him.  Also glad that ANB and Newton were both able to remain after good performances against Brisbane.

So much for Roosy's "yeah, we'll definitely makes changes" comment though!

[Adzman 2,154]

It's weird when you realise that Oliver is a big out for us.....and he has only played a handful of games.

Michie might be done now sadly. Competition for spots likely to get even harder with the form of the scorps.

[BrisbaneDemon 1,575]

I reckon Dawes will be a late in, I don't know why but I think he will, swap him and Watts in the ruck while Max has a quick breather.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

6 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Please enough with that - the side is very settled, no changes at all around the edges. Thought Pedersen might come back, but happy to live with out him.d

So much for Roosy's "yeah, we'll definitely makes changes" comment though!

I know right, the man's a master manipulator

[Deestroy All 14,266]

I don't like it one bit. 

Whenever everyone on here gets their collective knickers in a knot over team selection, we win. 

When there is calm, we lose.