SUMMARY
Melbourne's up and down formline continued against North Melbourne on Sunday, with a 14-point loss bringing the Demons back to the pack with a win-loss record of 4-5. That followed a 41-point win over Adelaide the week before, further emphasising the Demons' inconsistency. However, Simon Goodwin's team have a golden opportunity to get back to parity in Alice Springs on Saturday. Gold Coast is coming off its bye following a significant loss to Port Adelaide in the match played in Shanghai in round eight. The Suns will be looking to make amends for a poor showing against the Power and look to edge out of the bottom-four places on the ladder. Melbourne has never previously won a game in Alice Springs, but should go into the match against the Suns brimming with confidence.
WHERE AND WHEN: TIO Traeger Park (Alice Springs), Saturday, May 27, 4.05pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2016, Melbourne 9.12 (66) d Gold Coast 9.10 (64) at the MCG
R7, 2016, Melbourne 24.16 (160) d Gold Coast 14.3 (87) at Metricon Stadium
R1, 2015, Melbourne 17.13 (115) d Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at the MCG
R5, 2014, Gold Coast 11.20 (86) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R20, 2013, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Melbourne 10.17 (77) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast remains the number one ranked centre clearance side in 2017, averaging 17.5 per game. But the Demons aren’t far behind, ranked third at an average of 14.9.
2. Melbourne and Gold Coast meet for the 10th time on Saturday. The Demons hold the advantage winning six games to three, including the last three. The Suns last won over Melbourne in round five, 2014.
3. The Demons are a strong contested possession team this season, ranked second in the AFL. The Suns are ranked 10th. For uncontested possessions, the Suns are ranked first in the competition and the Demons are second.
4. It hasn't been a success for Melbourne so far playing "home" games in Alice Springs, with the Demons losing all three matches played so far at Traeger Park.
5. Gold Coast hasn't been a strong tackling side in 2017, ranked 17th in the AFL and averaging only 59.8 per game.
6. Demons youngster Mitch Hannan scored a career-high 19.4 points in the Schick AFL Player Ratings against North Melbourne last Sunday.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Tom Lynch
Gold Coast's star forward went goalless in the game against the Power, with opponent Tom Jonas not allowing him to get off the chain. It is just the second time this year Lynch has not been able to trouble the scorers. If the Suns are to cause an upset, having Lynch kick a bag of goals will be essential.
PREDICTION: Melbourne by 20 points
