UNDER THE ROOF by The Oracle

After playing in a game that was badly disrupted by the elements last week, the Demons travel across the Yarra on Sunday afternoon to the Docklands to take on the rapidly improving Kangaroos.

Despite their recent easy win in that practice match in the heat at Arden Street, it won’t be a contest to be taken lightly. We all know how much credence can be given to such games so it’s square one for the Melbourne Football Club this week at a time when injury and suspension figures continue to mount, leaving the Demons vulnerable and exposed in some positions.

The team performed admirably and was well served in the midfield and the defence held together well in the absence of Steven May and Judd McVee although it lagged in the area of stopping the Giants’ medium sized forwards, Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio whose goal sense won them the game. Fortunately, North Melbourne is not as well served in this department.

Another area where the Demons fell down in the final analysis against GWS was in attack. The wet and windy conditions and the strong Giants’ defence led by Sam Taylor who had by far the better of Jacob van Rooyen once again worked against the Dees. The first gamers were handy with goals from four of them but it was an inability to hold the ball in the forward line that put them on the back foot.

More pressure, especially from the experienced Bayley Fritsch is required. And it was a lack of ability to convert set shots that put the icing on the Giants’ cake - one goal from eleven set shots is unacceptable and a repeat this week against the Roos will not help the Demon cause.

This week’s venue under the roof at the Docklands will make things a lot easier, along with the fact that North has far less defensive experience and nowhere near as dangerous up forward. A few weeks ago, Melbourne chipped around for a while and then unleashed some quick ball movement which ultimately was too much for North. However, it had Kozzie Pickett to dazzle the opposition with his clean handling and movement of the football.

Without him, others need to stand up and be counted. I think that they have enough in the team’s tank to get them home under the roof at Marvel Stadium but they will be tested.

Melbourne by 22 points.

THE GAME

North Melbourne v Melbourne on Sunday 23 March 2025 at the MCG at 2:20pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall North Melbourne 77 wins Melbourne 90 wins 1 draw
At Marvel Stadium North Melbourne 8 wins Melbourne 1 win
Last five times North Melbourne 0 wins Melbourne 5 wins
The coaches Clarkson 0 wins Goodwin 3 wins

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Melbourne 11.4.70 defeated North Melbourne 10.7.67 at the MCG, Round 15, 2024

Melbourne was on top from start to finish but almost squandered the 39 point lead it held late in the third term when it failed to score in the final quarter and finished three points in front at the bell. Jack Viney, Steven May and Trent Rivers were the best for the Demons.

THE TEAMS 

NORTH MELBOURNE

B C. Comben, A. Corr, L. McDonald 
HB B. Scott, C. Daniel, C. McKercher 
C F. O'Sullivan, L. Davies-Uniacke, J. Simpkin 
HF H. Sheezel, N. Larkey, R. Hansen Jr
F P. Curtis, J. Darling, C. Zurhaar
FOLL T. Xerri, T. Powell, L. Parker
I/C M. Bergman, J. Konstanty, F.  Maley, W. Phillips T. Pink SUB D. Stephens
EMG M. Bergman, F. Maley, B. Teakle

IN T. Pink, D. Stephens

OUT A. Archer (suspended), G. Logue (hamstring)

MELBOURNE  

B J. Lever, T. McDonald, C. Salem
HB B. Howes, H. Petty, J. Bowey 
C E. Langdon, C. Oliver, X. Lindsay 
HF T. Sparrow, M. Jefferson, J. Henderson 
F B. Fritsch, J. Van Rooyen, K. Chandler
FOLL M. Gawn, C. Petracca, J. Viney
I/C T. Rivers, H. Sharp, C. Spargo, D. Turner SUB T. Woewodin
EMG J. Adams, H. Langford, B. Laurie 

IN C. Spargo, D. Turner, T. Woewodin

OUT A. Johnson (suspended), H. Langford (omitted), C. Windsor (foot)

Injury & Suspension List: Round 2

[player, injury or suspension, estimated return]

Daniel Turner — illness / available

Marty Hore — hand / test

Steven May — larynx / TBC

Caleb Windsor — foot / TBC

Jake Melksham  — hamstring / 1 week

Aidan Johnson — suspended / 1 week

Kysaiah Pickett — suspended / 2 weeks

Judd McVee — hamstring / 2 - 3 weeks

Jai Culley — foot / 3 - 4 weeks

Koltyn Tholstrup  —  back / 3 - 4 weeks

Luker Kentfield — illness / 4 - 5 weeks

Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season