SUMMARY
Melbourne has dropped two of its past three matches and now faces an in-form Port Adelaide hoping to cement a place in the AFL's top four. The injuries have been piling up for the Demons in recent weeks, with co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney, Christian Salem, Dom Tyson and Jack Watts all missing games. Tyson and Watts will almost certainly return against the Power, while Salem is a chance and would add some much-needed class to the backline. The Power are in good touch, winning their past five matches and their last against North Melbourne by 70 points. Power midfielders Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and Chad Wingard, who has spent more time in the middle this year, are all in form and have done plenty of damage to opposition teams during the club's winning streak.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, July 22, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2016, Melbourne 13.16 (94) d Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) at Adelaide Oval
R10, 2016, Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) d Melbourne 10.16 (76) at TIO Traeger Park
R9, 2015, Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) d Melbourne 8.6 (54) at TIO Traeger Park
R18, 2014, Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) d Melbourne 10.9 (69) at Adelaide Oval
R11, 2014, Port Adelaide 14.11 (95) d Melbourne 11.9 (75) at TIO Traeger Park
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Power continue to be a powerful, high-scoring team ranked first for inside 50s, equal second for marks inside 50 and second for scoring, kicking 100 points or more eight times.
2. Melbourne's win in round 21, 2016 was its first over Port Adelaide since round 17, 2011. Previous to that, the Power had won seven consecutive contests between the sides.
3. Melbourne set up its win over Port Adelaide late in 2016 with a dominating first half, kicking eight goals to two. The Demons had 42 more disposals and took 29 more marks than the Power.
4. The Power are the No.1 contested marking side this season averaging 14.6 per game. Melbourne is 17th for contested marking.
5. Both teams have been strong centre clearance sides this season, ranked equal-third, averaging 14.1 per game.
6. Melbourne forward Christian Petracca has moved up 285 places in the Schick AFL Player Ratings since the start of the season.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Tom McDonald
McDonald has been a key contributor for the Demons in a new role up forward but was a little quiet – kicking one goal from 12 disposals – against Adelaide. With Jesse Hogan still finding his feet after returning from cancer surgery, McDonald will need to again stand tall and lead Melbourne's forward line.
PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 26 points
