GREATER Western Sydney heads back home following a narrow defeat to St Kilda that prevented it from claiming back-to-back wins for the first time in its short history. GWS had plenty of opportunities for an inaugural win in Victoria, but ultimately fell seven points short. The Giants will be favoured to double its win tally, however, when they welcome an under-fire Melbourne outfit to Spotless Stadium. Paul Roos' side reverted to its bad old ways in a 93-point belting at the hands of West Coast that left its new coach contemplating some major changes to his line-up. Roos will be desperate for an early victory to get his tenure going and will surely view a trip to western Sydney as a good opportunity. Former Giant Dom Tyson will renew some friendships as he returns to his old home ground, while Josh Kelly – the man GWS picked up in the Tyson trade – will aim to build on a starring role off the substitute's bench last time out.



 
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Sunday April 6, 1.10pm
 
 
LAST FOUR TIMES
R19, 2013, GWS 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.15 (87) at Spotless Stadium
R4, 2013, Melbourne 22.12 (144) d GWS 15.13 (103) at the MCG
R21, 2012, Melbourne 11.18 (84) d GWS 9.5 (59) at Manuka Oval
R13, 2012, Melbourne 20.15 (135) d GWS 9.3 (57) at the MCG
 
THE SIX POINTS
1. These two sides split their match-ups in 2013. Melbourne produced a club-record 12-goal final term for a 41-point victory at the MCG before GWS recorded its only win for the year with a 37-point triumph at home.

 2. Overall the Demons have won three of the four matches between the sides,including a 78-point victory in their first ever meeting, in round 13, 2012.

3. Melbourne should prepare itself for a bruising contest, as the Giants are ranked second in the AFL this year with 78.5 tackles per game. The Dees are a lowly 17th with just 59 per outing early in the season.

4. Despite it winless start to the year, Roos' outfit is getting plenty of the football, ranked second with 799 disposals to date. GWS is 12th with 702.

5. Putting a score on the board has been an issue for the Giants over their first two years in the League, but they are improving that area in 2014. They are currently averaging 93 points per game, compared to just 69 in 2013.

6. Callan Ward is the highest ranked Giant in the Official AFL Player Ratings at No.29, followed by his new teammate Heath Shaw (No.69). The Demons only have one player in the top 100, Nathan Jones at No.97.
 
Prediction: Giants by 28 points