Surprisingly for a match between the competition's two bottom-placed sides, with just two wins between them from a combined 34 games this year, there is significant interest in this contest. That is largely driven by Greater Western Sydney's attempt to avoid becoming the first winless team in just under 50 years of AFL/VFL football. With games against Fremantle, the Brisbane Lions, Richmond and Gold Coast to round out their year, the game against the Demons is considered the Giants' best chance of breaking their duck. The last team to go through a season without a victory was Fitzroy in 1964.
These two teams had an intriguing battle back in round four at the MCG, when GWS led by 19 points at the final change before the Demons stormed home to win. Competitive showings against Essendon and Collingwood over the past fortnight gives GWS added hope of taking down a Demons side that has only tasted victory one other time this season, against the Western Bulldogs in round 14.
WHERE AND WHEN: Skoda Stadium, Saturday, August 3, 1.45pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST THREE MEETINGS
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. Both teams were winless heading into their round-four clash this year and the Giants had most of the running that day. But a 12-goal Melbourne final term – the highest scoring quarter in the club's history – steered the Demons home.
2. Melbourne will play at Skoda Stadium for the first time. It will be the 31st venue the Demons have played at in their history.
3. Callan Ward is the top-ranked Giant in the Official AFL Player Ratings at No.31, while Jeremy Cameron's seven goals last week moved him inside the top 200. Nathan Jones is the highest rated Demon at No.81.
4. GWS coach Kevin Sheedy takes on the Demons for the 49th and final time. He has an excellent 33-15 win-loss record against Melbourne.
5. A quirky stat may also give the young Giants a small boost. One of the two wins in their short history also occurred in round 19, against Port Adelaide last season.
6. Their ladder positions are reflected in some offensive and defensive stats. The Giants are 18th for total points scored against this season and 17th for points scored. Conversely, Melbourne is 17th for points scored against and last in total points scored.
