Melbourne Captain David Neitz has been cleared to play in this week's crucial match against the Adelaide Crows. Neitz, who missed last week's thrilling draw with the Cats with a hip-flexor complaint, has trained strongly all week and is expected to line-up at full forward. The big forward is currently in great form, kicking eight majors against the Kangaroos only two weeks ago, before missing the match against Geelong.

Young gun Matthew Bate has recovered from a bruised knee that he received during the Kangaroos game, and has been selected to line-up across half forward. While Matthew Whelan will miss this week with a very minor hamstring, while team mate Byron Pickett pulled up with hamstring soreness and won't be risked on the eve of the finals.

The game has great consequences for the Demons, with a win securing a top four finish to the home and away season and hence a double chance in the finals. Where as on the other hand, a loss will see the Demons slip to possibly seventh on the ladder going straight into an Elimination Final in the first round of the AFL finals series.

It will be the third year in-a-row , under Daniher that Melbourne has made the finals, the first time that this sequence has occurred since 1989-90-91.

Livewire Shannon Motlop, veteran Nathan Brown, and youngster Matthew Warnock have been named as emergencies for this Saturday's match.

Melbourne Team
Backs: C.Bartram, N.Carroll, B.Holland,
Half backs: C.Bruce, J.Rivers, D.Ward
Centreline: B.Green, B.McLean, T.Johnstone,
Half forwards: A.Yze, B.Miller, M.Bate
Forwards: R.Robertson, D.Neitz, A.Davey
Followers: J.White, N.Jones, J.McDonald
I/C: C.Sylvia, S.Godfrey, M.Jamar, D.Bell
Emergencies: S.Motlop, N.Brown, M.Warnock