MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDESunday, 2.10pm AEST, MCG

MELBOURNE
B: Cameron Bruce, Nathan Carroll, Adem Yze
HB: Nathan Brown, Jared Rivers, Daniel Bell
C: Colin Sylvia, James McDonald, Aaron Davey
HF: Ricky Petterd, Brad Miller, Byron Pickett
F: Lynden Dunn, David Neitz, Brent Moloney
FOLL: Jeff White, Simon Godfrey, Travis Johnstone
I/C (from): Paul Johnson, Nathan Jones, Matthew Bate, Chris Johnson, Simon Buckley, Ben Holland, Matthew Warnock

In: Neitz, Jones, Holland, Warnock, Buckley
Out: Colin Garland, Mark Jamar

New: Simon Buckley (Sandringham Dragons)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Troy Chaplin, Darryl Wakelin, Michael Pettigrew
HB: Jacob Surjan, Chad Cornes, Matthew Thomas
C: Nathan Lonie, Kane Cornes, Domenic Cassisi
HF: Peter Burgoyne, Warren Tredrea, Josh Mahoney
F: Greg Bentley, Damon White, Brett Ebert
FOLL: Brendon Lade, Shaun Burgoyne, David Rodan
I/C (from): Fabian DeLuca, Nathan Krakouer, Daniel Motlop, Danyle Pearce, Toby Thurstans, Brad Symes, Justin Westhoff

In: DeLuca, Motlop, Pearce, Thomas, Westhoff
Out: Steven Salopek (hamstring), Michael Wilson (pectoral/chest muscle)

MATCH DETAILS:Sunday May 6, MCG, 2.10pm (local time)

MEDIA COVERAGE:Television – Channel 7, Radio – afl.com.au, 3AW, ABC, Triple M

TAB SPORTSBET (VIC):Melbourne – $3.00, Port Adelaide – $1.36

LADDER POSITION:Melbourne – 16th, Port Adelaide – Second

WIN/LOSS RECORD:Played – 15, Melbourne – 8, Port Adelaide – 7, Drawn – 0

AT THIS GROUND:Played – 6, Melbourne – 6, Port Adelaide – 0

LAST TIME:Round 13, 2006 – Melbourne 18.12 (120) d Port Adelaide 12.10 (82), MCG

RECENT STREAK:The home team has won each match between these two teams since round eight, 2000, when the Demons last defeated the Power at AAMI Stadium. Melbourne is yet to lose to Port Adelaide at the MCG, even when down on form, but Port Adelaide will be hoping to break their drought against the Demons at the ‘G.

MILESTONES:Melbourne – Travis Johnstone – 150 games. Selected at No. 1 in the AFL National Draft draft in 1997, Johnstone is now delivering on his immense natural talent. Still only 26, the next few seasons should see the silky-skilled midfielder at his best.

INJURIES:Melbourne – Russell Robertson (knee), Brock McLean (foot), Matthew Whelan (hamstring), Paul Wheatley (shoulder), Clint Bartram (knee), James Frawley (foot), Brad Green (hamstring), Matthew Bate (ankle), Daniel Ward (elbow), Isaac Weetra (wrist).

Port Adelaide – Dean Brogan (ankle), Adam Cockshell (ankle), Tom Logan (ankle), Michael Wilson (pectoral).

SELECTION TABLE: The Demons have regained inspirational skipper David Neitz among five inclusions this week. Nathan Jones, Matthew Warnock, Ben Holland and Simon Buckley are also named on the extended bench. If Buckley plays, he’ll be making his AFL debut. Port Adelaide has added plenty of midfield firepower, with Danyle Pearce, Daniel Motlop and ruckman Fabian Deluca on the extended bench. Steven Salopek and Michael Wilson have been left out due to injury.

FORM:After five straight defeats, the Demons are in the midst of their worst opening to a season since 1995, when the club lost the first six games of the year. But, key players – including skipper David Neitz – are starting to return to the senior team, so Melbourne will be hoping for a breakthrough win on Sunday. Port Adelaide has been one of this season’s surprise packets, with its mix of youth, speed and cagey skill proving too much for four of its five opponents this season.

RED HOT:After a slow start to the season, Aaron Davey has been a shining light for Melbourne in the past two weeks, averaging 22 possessions and 2.5 goals. The speedy forward has moved into the midfield with great effect, adding his blinding speed to the Demons’ on-ball division.

Chad Cornes has been a standout for the Power this season and his past three matches have been outstanding. He’s been averaging more than 28 touches a game as Port Adelaide has soared to second on the ladder after five rounds.

MATCH-UP TO WATCH: Jeff White v Brendon Lade/Dean Brogan – Shaun Burgoyne has been red-hot for the Power this season, but his best work has been done when snaffling the canny taps from All-Australian ruckman Lade. If White can nullify – or even beat – his Port Adelaide counterparts at the stoppages, he’ll go a long way towards helping the Demons break their drought.

HOW'S STAT?:Melbourne has won all its six matches against Port Adelaide at the MCG, by an average winning margin of 36.33 points.

MEMORABLE MATCH: Round seven, 2003 – Melbourne 16.15 (111) d Port Adelaide 12.12 (84), MCG. In eerily similar circumstances to this week’s clash, the Demons had struggled early in the season before scoring a stirring 27-point win against the Power to lift their spirits. Melbourne set the tone with a seven-goal first quarter and stretched out to a 39-point lead at the final change. Andrew Leoncelli starred with 27 possessions and three goals, while Russell Robertson and David Neitz also kicked three apiece.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS: Byron Pickett – (Kangaroos 1997-2002, 120 matches, Port Adelaide 2003-05, 55 matches, Melbourne 2006-present, 22 games). After starting his career with the Kangaroos, Pickett enjoyed his finest moment in the AFL in 2004, winning the Norm Smith Medal as the Power claimed their inaugural AFL premiership. Melbourne swooped on the tough on-baller at the end of the 2005 season, securing him through the trade period. Pickett gave good service in 20 games last season and played in both Melbourne’s finals.

WHAT THE COACH SAYS: “Bruce and Moloney found plenty of the ball through the midfield [against Sydney], and Davey is back in good touch. Rivers and Carroll were very solid competitors in the backline. We will be looking to take the positives into the Port Adelaide game, and make sure to keep our enthusiasm alive.” – Neale Daniher on melbournefc.com.au.

WHAT THE FAN SAYS: “Having Neitz and Jones back is a big plus. Glad to see Petterd gets another game. It’s good to see the club blooding more youngsters. Travis Johnstone needs to lift and there’s no better time than his milestone 150th game. We need to keep an eye on Shaun Burgoyne and whoever looks after Chad Cornes is going to have their hands full – Mark, Oakleigh East.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.