It is hard to see what there is for the Demons to gain from this one. Lose to the Giants and all hell will break loose and coach Mark Neeld might not be able to save his job. A win, no matter the margin, will be followed by the usual "they only beat the GWS" rejoinder. The bigger bodies of the Demons should get them the win, particularly if the application on show in the first half against West Coast last week can last that bit longer. The Giants suffered a major blow when key forward Jon Patton ruptured his ACL last week and was ruled out for the rest of the season and it is hard to see them conjuring up a winning score.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday April 14, 1.10pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST TWO TIMES
Rd 21, 2012, Melbourne 11.18 (84) d GWS Giants 9.5 (59) at Manuka Oval
Rd 13, 2012, Melbourne 20.13 (135) d GWS Giants 9.3 (57) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
- Melbourne midfielder and 2012 best and fairest Nathan Jones picked up votes in both games against the Giants in 2012.
- In their 2012 meetings the Demons dominated the total possession count in both games, 409-357 and 361-309.
- The Giants will be playing their third MCG game following two heavy losses in 2012. In addition to their loss to Melbourne, they also lost to Hawthorn by 162 points.
- In their debut season the Giants played five times in Victoria losing all five games by an average margin of exactly 100 points.
- Giants coach Kevin Sheedy will be coaching his 242nd match at the MCG for 148 wins, 89 losses and four draws.
- Did you know that Melbourne hasn’t lost to a Sydney side, the Giants or Swans at the MCG since late in 2006?
