THE OTHER FOOT

by J.V. McKay

Earlier this year, my colleague Scoop Junior opened his preview of the Round 7 Western Bulldogs v Melbourne encounter at the Telstra Dome by referring back to a previous game between the same clubs and at the same venue that took place four years ago in Round 18 2003. He described that match, which the Demons lost to the season's wooden spooner, as one that "may well have been one of the lowlights of Neale Daniher's coaching career", a distinction that was surely overtaken by the Richmond v Melbourne game of Round 12. The point however, was that even when you take on a team that's down in the dumps and playing poorly, they can't be taken lightly.

The game that took place earlier this year at Telstra Dome was one of Daniher's injury-hit Demon team’s better performances of the year even though they failed to break the ice for the season and succumbed by a narrow margin. Melbourne showed lots of spirit as it continued to improve in the ensuing weeks picking up a couple of unlikely victories against finals contenders in Adelaide and Collingwood. However, just when we thought the Dees were back in town, they hit the wall against the Tigers and have virtually been in freefall ever since.

Three months have elapsed since that last meeting and the two sides face each other again at the same ground on Saturday night. The similarities with 2003 resonate in my mind but this time the boot is on the other foot. This time it's Melbourne whose season is at an uncomfortably low ebb. It's the Demons who are playing with little direction and seemingly have nothing to fight for (if you discount the ludicrous suggestion that teams tank games for draft picks – I'm with you on this one Andy D!). Of course, the Doggies are a bit better placed than the Dees of 2003 but, on recent form, they aren't serious finals contenders and even if they get the four points from Saturday night's game, they need to contend with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium before fronting Hawthorn and the Kangaroos back at the Dome.

This week the AFL, with its eyes firmly set on establishing a level playing field for is constituent clubs, has delivered the Dogs a godsend. They are drawn to play Melbourne in an "away" game at their own home ground. I really had to go figure hard about the identity of the genius who thought that one up but then I remembered why the MCG is currently unavailable. Collingwood requires that ground for its own use as it does for the two weeks after and as it has done for five consecutive weeks before. This is all about filling the clubs' coffers and the AFL is bowing to the commercial needs of those clubs. Bugger the competition!

That is why the Demons play their second successive "home" match after the road trip to Adelaide for the Port Power game away from the MCG, this time at Telstra Dome. Last week they travelled 658 kilometres to Canberra while the Swans covered less than half that distance to get to the venue (309km). Sydney had the majority of crowd support and they smashed their hapless opponents out of their wits with a withering burst in the opening quarter. This week the distances aren't as great but the Dogs will certainly appreciate the home surroundings.

You might ask what difference does this all make when Melbourne's season was washed down the gurgler a long time ago? My answer is that if the problem isn't addressed soon, it might cost us a finals place or a top four spot if and when we have a better side. One day the boot will be on the other foot and we need to make things happen to establish ourselves as a financially independent club. Without that, the Melbourne Football Club will be giving away 8 to 12 premiership points to some of its rivals at the beginning of every season until the end of time.

Back to this week's game where the boot is also on the other foot compared to where the teams were four years ago. The Bulldogs recent form hasn't been all that flash; they were smashed two weeks running on the AFL’s prime showcase of Friday night football before they luckily collected two points for a draw against the Saints after producing some form for the final 20 minutes of last week's match. The Demons will nevertheless go into the game as rank underdogs (pardon the unintended pun) because their recent performances have been diabolical, devoid of spirit and well ... pitiful.

The game really raises a question for the Melbourne playing group about its resolve, its spirit and its will to win.

Is there anything left there at all?

THE GAME Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome Saturday 11 August 2007 at 7.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 82 wins Western Bulldogs 65 wins

At the Dome Melbourne 5 wins Western Bulldogs 4 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins Western Bulldogs 5 wins

The Coaches Riley 0 wins Eade 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 10 (delayed telecast commencing at 7.30pm)

RADIO 3AW SEN

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $4.00 Western Bulldogs to win $1.20

LAST TIME THEY MET Western Bulldogs 16.16.112 d Melbourne 16.10.106 Round 7, 2007, at Telstra Dome.

The difference between the two sides was Brad Johnson who booted four goals in a close game. Daniel Cross was in scintillating form and Brian Harris beat a proppy David Neitz on the comeback trail after his knee injury.

Aaron Davey was inspirational collecting 29 possessions and kicking three goals but the Demons lacked the power to finish the game off and the Dogs limped in by six points.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Ben Holland, Nathan Carroll Nathan Brown

Half backs Daniel Bell Ryan Ferguson, James Frawley

Centreline Paul Wheatley, James McDonald Travis Johnstone

Half forwards Brad Green Michael Newton, Colin Sylvia

Forwards Byron Pickett, David Neitz, Russell Robertson

Followers Jeff White, Brock McLean, Nathan Jones

Interchange Jace Bode Mark Jamar Brent Moloney

Emergencies Lynden Dunn Brad Miller Daniel Ward

In Jace Bode James Frawley Travis Johnstone Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia

Out Matthew Bate (corked thigh) Simon Godfrey (knee) Simon Buckley Brad Miller Daniel Ward

New Jace Bode (20, Sturt, SA)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Backs Jordan McMahon Brian Harris Dale Morris

Half Backs Andrejs Everitt Tom Williams Ryan Hargrave

Centreline Farren Ray Scott West Nathan Eagleton

Half Forwards Daniel Giansiracusa Brad Johnson Robert Murphy

Forwards Shaun Higgins Chris Grant Jason Akermanis

Followers Luke Darcy Adam Cooney Matthew Boyd

Interchange Daniel Cross Sam Power Wayde Skipper Stephen Tiller

Emergencies Cameron Faulkner Andrew McDougall Peter Street

No change

THE STAGGERS

Melbourne is like a boxer who has already been knocked down twice and is staggering on the ropes waiting for the bell to ring and put an end to proceedings. The Demons’ well-documented injury woes have affected every line.

They struggle to win the ball at the clearances and the midfield’s delivery into attack is poor. Those who are left standing in the forward line appear impotent and unable to kick more than ten or eleven goals in any given game. David Neitz in particular, has the staggers and is not doing himself justice on the field. Aaron Davey, once considered dangerous around the goals and around the ground, managed just seven disposals last week. Russell Robertson dropped out of the game at Manuka with back spasms but hasn’t really looked threatening since the Carlton game a month ago. Only Ben Holland and newcomer Michael Newton are showing any signs of life up forward for the Demons.

While the Bulldogs were under the pump against the AFL heavyweights in Geelong and West Coast, their defence is up against a foe this week that occupies a friendlier weight division and with Brian Harris leading a tight back line, the stage is set for a victory for the boys from the west.

Speaking of the west, Scott West is due to find touch soon and, against a Melbourne team without Simon Godfrey who has in the past managed to keep his ball getting figures down to almost manageable proportions, he could be the one to deliver the knockout blow.

The area where the Demons could get on top is in its defence. Nathan Carroll blanketed Barry Hall last week and he has some hard honest workhorses around him. Usually that would not be enough but the Bulldogs' only genuine star player in attack, Brad Johnson, is no certainty to play. If he misses and Melbourne is able to close the game down and make it a real scrap then who knows what can happen?

In any event, because I don't believe Johnson will play and because of the Akermanis factor (I have a feeling his career is about to implode) and the fact that the inclusion of Travis Johnstone, Russell Robertson and Colin Sylvia adds a bit of extra class to the Demon line-up, I'm tipping a much improved Melbourne performance but even then I still can't see them getting over the line.

Western Bulldogs by 5 points.