MELBOURNE has taken the time to enjoy its breakthrough win over Carlton, but Paul Roos' focus has quickly switched to replicating the same effort against the Suns. The Demons' pressure around the ball was top-notch in the victory against the Blues, so that will be a point drummed home to the players this week. The Suns ran into a rampant Hawthorn but, in some ways, the uncompetitive loss was out of character for them this season. Expect both teams to come with a committed attitude when they meet at the MCG on Sunday.



WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday April 19, 1.40pm AEST

 

 

R20, 2013, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Melbourne 10.17 (77) at Metricon Stadium

R7, 2013, Gold Coast 16.18 (114) d Melbourne 7.12 (54) at the MCG

R19, 2012, Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 9.12 (66) at the MCG

R23, 2011, Melbourne 17.10 (112) d Gold Coast 12.10 (82) at the MCG

R4, 2011, Melbourne 23.21 (159) d Gold Coast 9.15 (69) at the Gabba

 

1. Melbourne is ranked 17th for inside 50s this year, averaging just 42.5 per game. Gold Coast is eighth in the competition with 51.5 per game.

2. Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett enjoys an impressive record against Melbourne, playing in 15 winning teams from 19 games, kicking 21 goals and polling nine Brownlow votes.

3. No team has taken less marks inside 50 so far this season than the Suns, who are averaging just 6.2 per game. Melbourne is equal 12th with an average of 9.2.

4. Gold Coast has only once saluted once at the 'home of football' - thrashing Melbourne at the MCG in early 2013.

5. Melbourne has operated at a disposal efficiency of 72.5 per cent this season, ranking them seventh in the competition. Gold Coast is dead last at 66.2 per cent a game.

6. The game could see Gary Ablett, the League's top ranked player in the Official AFL Player Ratings, go head-to-head with Melbourne's highest rated player, co-captain Nathan Jones (106). Jones kept Blues star Marc Murphy to 18 possessions, in a clear run-with role last week.

 

Prediction: Gold Coast by 17 points