Melbourne’s slow starts have been a troubling theme for a while. Against the Suns, they started slowly in both of their games, they trailed by 5.7.37 to 0.1.1 at quarter time at Peoples First Stadium in Round 16. This season, the story has remained the same and if the Demons fail to shake off this issue against the unbeaten Gold Coast Suns, they will be in serious danger of capitulating once again in their Easter Sunday showdown. 

There will be no room for a spiritual or physical resurgence or redemption in such circumstances with no dramatic comebacks and no last-minute heroics. If the Suns are allowed off the leash early, the Demons will be in world of pain.

The last thing we need to see is the faithful heading for the exits early. We saw how demoralizing things can get when old familiar patterns are followed. Look at the way Carlton fans reacted last week when Kozzy Pickett’s goal put Melbourne two kicks ahead, despite ample time for the Blues to reverse the momentum.

The Suns are flying high, sitting atop the ladder, undefeated, and boasting an impressive percentage nearing 200. Their dominance has been nothing short of a juggernaut, but I’m going to stick my neck out and predict that both of the trends outlined above - the Demons’ slow starts and the Suns’ rampant form - are about to change.

Melbourne coach Steven King demonstrated last week that he can turn a game around with clever in-game adjustments. 

Now, he needs to find a way to get his charges firing from the opening of proceedings. To do this, they must replicate the fierce attack on the football and smarter play they exhibited in the last three quarters against Carlton, while also countering Gold Coast’s lethal attacking threat from the outset.

One factor that could play into the Demons’ hands is the Suns’ recent bye week, a potential momentum breaker. 

Momentum is crucial for maintaining peak performance in AFL, and after three strong victories against the underprepared Cats in steamy energy-sapping conditions up north, followed by comfortable wins over regular cellar dwellers the Eagles and Tigers, Gold Coast may have yet to face the kind of pressure seen in a high-stakes AFL contest.

Melbourne, led by the formidable Max Gawn and electrifying Kozzy Pickett, will look to fire up the MCG crowd early in the game. With the absence of key players like Christian Petracca and Bailey Humphrey - both crucial in Gold Coast’s early victories - the Demons have an opportunity to exploit some vulnerability within the ranks of the Suns.

However, it’s important to note that this won’t be an easy task. Gold Coast remains a dangerous, high-powered team, and Melbourne will need to be at their best to challenge them.

That said, the Demons continue to entertain, playing an exciting brand of fast, running football. 

The youngsters and their newly  recruited players are rapidly improving, strengthening the team’s cohesion with each passing week. 

While it will undoubtedly be a difficult test, I believe Melbourne has the potential to make this a closely contested encounter, with the possibility of shocking the Suns and breaking their momentum. 

It will be close.

Prediction: A challenging match, with Melbourne coming close to pulling off an upset, particularly if they can take control early and stifle Gold Coast’s attacking threats. Gold Coast by two points.

THE GAME

Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday 5 April 2026 at 3.15pm

HEAD TO HEAD 

Overall - Melbourne 15 wins Gold Coast Suns 5 wins 

At the MCG - Melbourne 5 wins Gold Coast Suns 3 wins 

Past five matches - Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast Suns 2 wins

The Coaches - Steven King 0 wins Damien Hardwick 0 wins

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Gold Coast Suns 15.14.104 defeated Melbourne 12.13.75 at Peoples First Stadium, Round 16 2025

The Suns jumped a sluggish Demons outfit who fumbled and stumbled their way through an embarrassing half hour of inept football to trail by six goals at the first break. They took until 12 minute mark to score their opening goal through Jake Melksham and slowly clawed their way back but, despite that player’s heroics and five goals, the Demons were always going to fall short and some undisciplined acts added to their pain.

THE TEAMS 

MELBOURNE

B H. Petty, J. Lever, B. Howes

HB X. Lindsay, T. McDonald C. Salem

C H. Sharp, J. Steele, C. Windsor

HF L. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, E. Langdon

F B. Laurie, B. Mihocek, K. Pickett

FOLL M. Gawn, T. Sparrow, J. Culley

I/C K. Chandler, H. Langford, J. Melksham, K. Tholstrup, D. Turner

EMG M. Heath, J. Henderson, L. Kentfield

IN B. Laurie, J. Melksham, D. Turner

OUT P. Cross (thumb), B. Fritsch (foot), C. Jiath (calf)

GOLD COAST

B C. Ballard, S. Collins, M. Andrew

HB J. Noble, B. Uwland, D. Rioli

C L. Weller, W. Powell, S. Clohesy

HF B. Long, T. Miller, W. Graham

F E. Read, B. King, L. Lombard

FOLL J. Witts, N. Anderson, M. Rowell

I/C L. Gulbin, J. Jeffrey, J. Rogers, Z. Uwland, J. Walter

EMG O. Adams, A. Davies, J. Farrar

IN L. Gulbin, M. Rowell, J. Walter

OUT A. Davies (omitted), B. Humphrey (suspension), C. Petracca (hamstring)

Injury List: Round 4

Aidan Johnson — knee / available 

Matthew Jefferson — foot / available 

Luker Kentfield  — knee / available 

Daniel Turner — hand / Test 

Bayley Fritsch — foot / TBC

Trent Rivers — knee / TBC

Kalani White — glandular fever / 1 week

Shane McAdam — Achilles / 2-3 weeks

Changkuoth Jiath — calf / 3-4 weeks

Patrick Cross — thumb / 4-5 weeks

Jake Bowey — foot / 5-7 weeks 

Tom Campbell — neck / TBC

Jack Viney — Achilles / TBC

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

The Suns are flying high, sitting atop the ladder, undefeated, and boasting an impressive percentage nearing 200. Their dominance has been nothing short of a juggernaut, but I’m going to stick my neck out and predict that both of the trends outlined above - the Demons’ slow starts and the Suns’ rampant form - are about to change.

Fully concur. Im expecting a game a lot closer than I think most pundits anticipate. Dees by 10. Langford with a goal after the siren.

On 31/03/2026 at 19:15, Ghostwriter said:

I really don’t get them to open up though, but if they feel like talking I’m happy to listen.

It’s the young guys and in particular the young interstate guys who seem to wanna share things and I understand why.

I’m not special but there’s something I know I’m good at and that’s listening. It sounds silly to say that but listening is a dying art. It’s on the endangered species list. It’s a shame because it’s so valuable and important.

4 hours ago, Wells 11 said:

Fully concur. Im expecting a game a lot closer than I think most pundits anticipate. Dees by 10. Langford with a goal after the siren.

Made all the more difficult by the injury to Fritta.

2 hours ago, alpha33 said:

Made all the more difficult by the injury to Fritta.

Agreed.

If we start slow this week we will lose. No doubt about that

This week maybe, but not next week.

Casey have a second bye in four weeks FFS.

What an amateurish support / development competition for a multimillion dollar industry?

This may have got to the wrong thread but I will vent my hate of the AFL allowing this farce to continue.

Is the final team out?

53 minutes ago, Mister Ed said:

Is the final team out?

Updated in the opening thread.

23 hours ago, monoccular said:

This week maybe, but not next week.

Casey have a second bye in four weeks FFS.

What an amateurish support / development competition for a multimillion dollar industry?

This may have got to the wrong thread but I will vent my hate of the AFL allowing this farce to continue.

Apologies for my inaccuracy on this, thus time, though my disdain for the AFL not fixing their reserve competition goes un repented

The Melbourne team has been changed to reflect Bayley Fritsch’s foot injury and replacement by Bailey Laurie.

I’ve also added Fritsch and Trent Rivers to the injury list.