MELBOURNE v KANGAROOS
THE TEAMS
MELBOURNE
B: Daniel Ward, Nathan Carroll, Ricky Petterd
HB: James Frawley, Ben Holland, Daniel Bell
C: Travis Johnstone, James McDonald, Aaron Davey
HF: Brad Green, Russell Robertson, Cameron Bruce
F: Adem Yze, David Neitz, Matthew Bate
FOLL: Jeff White, Simon Godfrey, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Paul Johnson, Lynden Dunn, Clint Bizzell, Brad Miller, Brock McLean, Nathan Brown, Chris Johnson
IN: Frawley, McLean, Robertson, Bizzell, Holland, Johnson
OUT: Ryan Ferguson (broken thumb), Colin Sylvia (hamstring soreness), Matthew Whelan (foot)
NEW: James Frawley (North Ballarat U18)
KANGAROOS
B: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon
HB: Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Jess Sinclair
C: Adam Simpson, Andrew Swallow, Brady Rawlings
HF: Daniel Harris, Aaron Edwards, Corey Jones
F: Lindsay Thomas, Leigh Brown, Drew Petrie
FOLL: Hamish McIntosh, Shannon Grant, Brent Harvey
I/C (from): Glenn Archer, Kasey Green, Blake Grima, Ed Lower, David Hale, Josh Gibson, Matt Campbell
IN: Archer, Hale, Lower
OUT: nil
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, May 27, MCG, 2.10pm (local time)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Television – Channel 7, Radio – afl.com.au, 3AW, Triple M, 5AA, 6PR, NIRS
TAB SPORTSBET (VIC)
Melbourne – $2.30, Kangaroos – $1.57
LADDER POSITION
Melbourne – 15th, Kangaroos – 6th
WIN/LOSS RECORD
Played – 143, Melbourne – 83, Kangaroos – 59, Drawn – 1
AT THIS GROUND
Played – 83, Melbourne – 54, Kangaroos – 29
LAST TIME
Round 20, 2006 – Melbourne 20.12 (132) d Kangaroos 12.10 (82), MCG
RECENT STREAK
Melbourne has won six of the past seven encounters between the two teams, with the Roos’ last win coming in round 15, 2003 at the MCG.
MILESTONES
Melbourne – Nathan Carroll – 50 games
Kangaroos – Daniel Harris – 100 games
INJURIES
Melbourne – Mark Jamar (hamstring), Brock McLean (foot), Brent Moloney (groin), Jared Rivers (back), Clint Bartram (knee), Isaac Weetra (wrist), Ryan Ferguson (thumb).
Kangaroos – Daniel Wells (knee), Leigh Harding (knee), Daniel McConnell (shoulder), Nathan Thompson (knee).
SELECTION TABLE
The Demons welcome back Russell Robertson after a seven-week absence with a knee injury suffered against Hawthorn. His aerial prowess will give the forward line a lift, but the absence of the in-form Sylvia will hurt. The backline will miss Matthew Whelan’s cool head under pressure, but it’s a chance for young James Frawley – the club’s first-round pick in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft – to display his skills. Brock McLean is also a chance to return for his first hit-out since round one, but the club is likely to be cautious with the gun midfielder.
Veteran defender Glenn Archer heads the Roos’ list of inclusions and it’s hard to see him missing out on a spot, despite being named on the extended bench. David Hale and youngster Ed Lower are also added, while the club’s match committee has shown faith in the side that accounted for Carlton last weekend.
FORM
The Demons will be desperate for an improved showing after last week’s 77-point loss to West Coast and the Kangaroos loom as a likely opponent for a form turnaround. Encouraging efforts in the preceding two weeks against Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs are a better indication of where the Demons are at. With more stars on their way back and the Demons’ good record in recent years against the team from Arden Street, Melbourne fans can take some optimism into Sunday’s game.
While the Roos have struggled against the Demons in recent times, losing six of the past seven matches, they’ve been in red-hot form of late with five successive wins. Last week’s win against Carlton, when they were challenged several times but came away with a solid two-goal victory, is indicative of the confidence of the playing group.
RED HOT
Travis Johnstone – the silky-skilled wingman hit top gear against West Coast last week, racking up 24 touches and two goals in a strong performance against the reigning premier. It followed a 25-possession game against the Dogs in round eight, signaling that Trapper is nearing his best form after a slow start to the season.
MATCH-UP TO WATCH
Daniel Bell v Shannon Grant – The Kangaroos forward has been a shining light for his side this year, booting 16 goals, including five against Carlton last week. Bell is quick enough to go with the Roos veteran at ground level and strong enough to match him in the air. Keeping Grant quiet is a tough task for anyone, but Bell has all the tools.
HOW'S STAT?
Russell Robertson booted 4.3 in his return to football with Sandringham in the VFL last weekend, proving he’s more than ready to rejoin the fray with his mates in the senior team.
MEMORABLE MATCH
Round 9, 2002 – Melbourne 17.9 (111) d Kangaroos 15.17 (107), MCG. Adem Yze played the role of hero to perfection in his 150th game, racking up 32 touches before taking a towering mark in the game’s dying moments and kicking the winning goal. In a see-sawing contest, the Demons led early before the Roos fought back to take a two-goal lead into the main break. Despite the Kangaroos peppering the goals in the last term, Melbourne’s accuracy – and Yze’s heroics – saw it home by four points.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS
"We will regroup this week before our match against the Kangaroos on Sunday at the MCG. Our players will be very disappointed with what we produced on the weekend and will bounce back this week." – Neale Daniher on melbournefc.com.au.
WHAT THE FAN SAYS
"Now that we’ve got most of our star players back, it’s time for the boys to step up and break the drought. We’re back on our home turf and the opposition holds no fear for us. With Robbo and Neita in the square, our boys will finally have a choice of targets to kick to. They won’t let us down.” – Tim, Hughesdale.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
