THE SPIRIT by The Oracle

Is Melbourne regressing into the unreliable combination of its pre-Covid days when fans never quite knew what to expect from the team on any given day?
 
We are five matches into a new season and the Demons have produced outstanding performances in three matches coupled with two insipid displays, albeit marred by conditions and circumstances that were not ideal. However, any good team worth its salt, is expected to rise above adversity and Melbourne did not against Essendon last week in Adelaide.
 
The Demons have not yet lost the faith of the supporters but on Anzac Eve, at a time we traditionally associate with strong spirit, heroism, and the triumph of courage over adversity, they will be tested. There will be no room for them to shrug shoulders at the end of the night and claim that “this was not us”.
 
Certainly, Melbourne without its indefatigable skipper, was tested for yet another week by a team with two tall rucks who dominated in front of the goals in wild and woolly conditions with rain falling and the normally ever-reliable defence stretched in the absence of Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd to intercept the ball coming regularly out of the middle, particularly early when Clayton Oliver was well shackled.
 
But there was still something terribly wrong happening for the Demons in the first half against the Bombers. They give up the ascendancy in each of the opening terms, regained momentum, took control momentarily and gave it away again. On the second occasion, the Demons were outrun and outplayed after cockily wasting opportunities to increase their lead to something handy while a heavy downpour threatened.
 
The team that a week earlier were being vaunted for their newly found high scoring attacking style of play, spent fifty spiritless and goalless minutes under intimidation from a team that one week earlier, struggled to beat the lowly Giants on their home turf.
 
So, the question on every Demon fan’s lip as the Anzac Eve match approaches is simple - which Melbourne team is going to turn up on the night?
 
It will certainly be a different combination to the one that gathered round and spectated for so much of their game in Adelaide. The makeup of the team will necessarily change with players mooted to return from injury and others who have shown some form at the level below.
 
Melbourne can take solace from its midfield leaders who fought out the last game in the Anzac Spirit. That Oliver finished with more than 40 touches was testament to the will he showed and the example he brings to the team. Likewise Christian Petracca and Jack Viney who never gave in and gave their team a touch of respectability in the final term last week.
 
This still leaves Simon Goodwin with a massive repair job for this week against a team with troubles of its own. The Tigers’ form has been poor lately and they will miss Nankervis in the ruck and Lynch at full forward. Missing also will be some valuable foot soldiers in Broad, Short, Gibcus and Soldo.
 
But even if the memory of their recent premiership run is fading, they cannot be taken lightly and if the Demons do so, they will suddenly find themselves back in the pack with other contenders fighting for life and light years away from the premiership favouritism to which they only recently aspired.
 
I’m tipping them to win but only if they show some spirit this time. Otherwise, it will start getting close to the last chance saloon as far as their credibility as a football power is concerned.
 
Melbourne by 15 points.
 
THE GAME
 
Melbourne v Richmond on Monday 24 April 2023 at 7.25pm at the MCG
 
HEAD TO HEAD
 
Overall Melbourne 77 wins Richmond 107 wins Drawn 2
 
At MCG Melbourne 65 wins Richmond 72 wins Drawn 1
 
Past five meetings Melbourne 2 wins Richmond 3 wins
 
The Coaches Goodwin 2 wins Hardwick 4 wins
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
 
Melbourne 9.22.76 defeated Richmond 8.6.54
 
Clayton Oliver had 41 possessions in an outstanding display of midfield power. Max Gawn dominated the rucks and Ed Langdon was supreme on his wing. Despite all that, thanks to their appalling inaccuracy in front of goals the Demons scrambled their way to an unconvincing 22-point victory.
 
THE TEAMS 
 
MELBOURNE

B H. Petty S. May T. Rivers 
HB K. Chandler J. Lever E. Langdon 
C A. Brayshaw C. Oliver L. Hunter 
HF J. McVee B. Grundy A. Neal-Bullen 
F K. Pickett J. van Rooyen B. Fritsch 
FOLL M. Gawn J. Viney C. Petracca 
I/C J. Bowey M. Hibberd J.  Jordon T.  Sparrow SUB B. Laurie EMG L. Dunstan J. Schache D. Turner 

IN M. Gawn M. Hibberd B. Laurie J. Lever

OUT J. Melksham (omitted) T. McDonald (omitted) C. Spargo (concussion) A. Tomlinson (omitted)

RICHMOND

B N. Balta D. Grimes T. Young
HB L. Baker N. Vlastuin D. Rioli
C K. McIntosh T. Taranto M.  Pickett
HF M. Rioli D. Martin R. Mansell
F B. Miller N. Cumberland J. Riewoldt
FOLL S. Ryan S. Bolton J. Hopper
I/C J. Clarke T. Cotchin D. Prestia J. Short T. Sonsie SUB H. Ralphsmith EMG J. Bauer J. Ross T. Sonsie

IN J. Short 

OUT T. Sonsie (omitted)
 
Injury List: Round 6

Ben Brown - Back  | Test
Max Gawn - Knee  | Test
Michael Hibberd - Achilles | Test
Jake Lever - Ankle  | Test
Charlie Spargo - Concussion | TBC
Kye Turner - Groin | TBC
Joel Smith - Thumb | 1 Week
Christian Salem - Knee | 2 - 4 Weeks
Will Verrall - Pelvis  | 8 - 9 Weeks