The injury plague which has beset the Demons 2024 campaign is finally starting to dissipate and with consecutive wins over GWS Giants and a 2-point nail-biter in Adelade, a sense of optimism is rising.  Some commentators are now asking whether the Dees can make finals?

A huge surprise with team selection this week when it was announced that champs Olivia Purcell, Paxy Paxman and Eden Zanker would play.   Hallelujah!  The cavalry has arrived.

St Kilda missed the finals last season on percentage and are currently sitting in eighth position with 4 wins. They defeated the struggling GWS last week but had previously lost three matches in a row, to Adelaide, Fremantle and Hawthorn.  

Melbourne sits eleventh with 3 wins, but our percentage is a lowly 60.6% largely thanks to shellackings by North and Essendon.  

Both teams have short breaks between games, with St Kilda 5 days and Melbourne 4 days.  

The form guide suggests we are a strong chance this week, but Meggs expects it will be a slog.

Selection this week

Purcell’s return adds her fearsome ball-winning superpowers to the midfield group, Zanker will strengthen the marking and goalscoring options of our forwards and Paxman will hopefully have her foot in fine fettle for this comeback.

Paxy’s ball usage and rebounding from defence will be a boost to Chaplin, Goldrick and Gillard.
Gaby Colvin suffered concussion last week and misses while D’Arcy and Johnson have been omitted.

The Saints bring back experienced midfielder Olivia Vesely and journeywoman Rene Caris.  They replace Maddie Boyd (omitted) and Emmelie Fiedler (managed).

Meggs’ view

Expecting the Saints to make it a tough and physical game.  

They have plenty of talented experienced and young players who could undo our gameplan if we turn up unprepared.

St Kilda has the dangerous Jesse Wardlaw, the ex-Brisbane full forward, hard nut mids Jaimee Lambert and Tyanna Smith and their vice-captain is ex-Dee Bianca Jakobsson.  

The vibe emanating from our beloved Demons appears to be building and the possibilities for this season likely hinge on having a win this Sunday.
Keep winning and go Dees!  

Melbourne by 12 points
 
THE GAME

Round 8: Melbourne v St Kilda Sunday 13 October 2024 at 3:05pm (Melbourne time) Moorabbin Oval, Melbourne – Kulin Nations
 
HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 4 wins St Kilda 1 win
At Moorabbin Oval Melbourne 1 win St Kilda 1 win
The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Dal Santo 0 wins
 
MEDIA

TV – 7mate, Fox Footy, Kayo.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2022 Season 7 Round 3 Melbourne 6.10 (46) defeated St Kilda 3.2 (20) at Moorabbin Oval, 11 September 2022

MELBOURNE 6.1  6.3 6.7 6.10  (46)

ST KILDA  0.0  1.1  2.1 3.2  (20)

GOALS

MELBOURNE Zanker 2, Bannan, Fitzsimon, Hore, Paxman

ST KILDA Shierlaw 2, Matin

BEST

MELBOURNE Purcell, West, Hanks, Mithen

ST KILDA  Jakobsson, Patrikios, Vesely, McKinnon

CROWD 2,758 at Moorabbin Oval

The Dees wrapped up this game in the first quarter, smashing the Saints with 6 unanswered goals.

Liv Purcell was best on ground with 27 possessions and Eden Zanker lively up forward with 2 goals.

Melbourne started with a 3-0 record in what would become its maiden premiership year.
 
THE TEAMS
 
MELBOURNE

B D Taylor Gillard
HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick
C Lampard Hanks McNamara
HF Zanker Mithen Pisano
F Bannan Campbell
FOLL Watt Purcell Hore
I/C Fitzsimon Gall Hill Paxman Wotherspoon
EMG Johnson Rigoni S Taylor

IN Paxman Purcell Zanker

OUT Colvin (concussion) D'Arcy (omitted) Johnson (omitted)
 
ST KILDA

B Stevens Watson
HB Priest Trudgeon Jakobsson
C McDonald Lambert Guttridge
HF Kelly Wardlaw Anderson
F Friend Richards
FOLL Nalder Simpson Smith
I/C Burke Caris Plane Vesely Whiley
EMG Boyd Fiedler Stuart

IN Caris Vesely

OUT Fiedler (managed) Boyd (omitted)
 
Injury List: Round 8

Melbourne

Gaby Colvin Concussion 1 week
Lauren Pearce Wrist 1 week
Blaithin Mackin Calf 1-2 weeks
Grace Beasley ACL Season
Tayla Harris Shoulder Season
Jacinta Hose ACL Season
Aimee Mackin  ACL Season
 
St Kilda

Nicola Xenos Heel 2 weeks
Rebecca Ott Tibia 4-5 weeks
Georgia Patrikios Foot 5-6 weeks
Caitlin Matthews Knee 6 weeks
Steph Chiocci ACL 8 weeks
Beth Pinchin Knee Season

Tough game this week.  Simply cannot believe that Purcell is back. She’s so brave.  What a true warrior.  We love ya Liv. 👏❤️💙