MELBOURNE found out what it's like to come up against the brute strength of a top-four team in Fremantle last weekend and face a similar task against Geelong on Saturday. The Cats, who have been winning unconvincingly, are likely to see this game as a chance to get back on track and validate their top-four aspirations. Geelong has had a stranglehold over the Demons in recent years - its last loss against them was way back in 2006. Although the Demons have shown improvement under Paul Roos, it is hard to see Geelong's dominance ending when the teams meet at the MCG.



WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday July 12, 1.45pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2013, Geelong 13.20 (98) d Melbourne 4.6 (30) at Simonds Stadium
R6, 2012, Geelong 17.17 (119) d Melbourne 11.10 (76) at Simonds Stadium
R19, 2011, Geelong 37.11 (233) d Melbourne 7.5 (47) at Simonds Stadium
R10, 2010, Geelong 18.13 (121) d Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Simonds Stadium
R16, 2009, Geelong 17.15 (117) d Melbourne 11.5 (71) at Simonds Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. Geelong has been dominant against Melbourne over the past decade, winning 11 of 15 contests since 2004. The Cats have won the last nine contests against the Demons by an average winning margin of 71 points.

2. Melbourne last defeated Geelong in round six, 2006. Since then the Demons have had seven senior coaches including the incumbent Paul Roos.

3. Don't expect the teams to win the ball out of the centre square with any regularity on Saturday. Melbourne is ranked last for centre clearances (averaging 9.8 per game), while Geelong does not fare much better, ranked 16th (11.1).

4. Geelong is second in the competition for marks inside 50 (203). In contrast, the Demons are placed 17th (133).

5. In total, the teams have clashed 210 times with Geelong holding a clear advantage, winning 125 games to the Demons' 83 (with two draws).

6. Geelong's Steve Johnson has averaged 36 disposals in his last three games against Melbourne, while Demon (and former Crow) Bernie Vince has averaged 28 disposals and has six goals from his last five games against the Cats. Johnson is 14th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, while Vince is ranked 172.

Prediction: Geelong by 48 points