MCG, 7.05pm, Friday
FORECAST
Mainly fine. Partly cloudy with a shower or two. Cloud increasing later in the day with a maximum of about 14.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Geelong 16.16 (112) def Melbourne 12.10 (82), round three, 2008 at Skilled Stadium
Melbourne lost its first two matches of the season by 104 and 95 points, so when the Demons travelled down to Geelong in round three to meet the reigning premiers, everyone was battening down the hatches. But Dean Bailey's men were far from disgraced. In fact they put up a pretty strong showing against the competition's best team, booting the game's first three goals before the Cats clicked into gear.
Tom Hawkins kicked five goals for Geelong while in-form midfielders Joel Corey and Jimmy Bartel racked up plenty of possessions. For Melbourne, young gun Cale Morton impressed but the visitors had to rely on Cameron Bruce (three goals) to kick the bulk of their score.
FORM GUIDE
Geelong started slowly against Richmond last week before scoring what many believed was a predictable result – a 10-goal win. The 63-point win was accomplished with a minimum of fuss, the Cats' slick ball use a feature of the win after Mark Thompson's men initially found scoring goals a problem in the first 20 minutes of the match. Kicking goals hasn't been a problem for Geelong since the mid-season break, however, with the Cats - who have won nine in a row - now the highest-scoring team in the competition while also having the stingiest defence in the AFL.
Melbourne has gradually got better and better this season, with Dean Bailey's team becoming more accustomed to his game plan as the season has progressed. A fit list has been a problem for the Demons, though, and their task won't be any easier this week after suffering a couple of injuries to key players against Essendon last week. The availability of Aaron Davey and Brad Miller will be crucial to Melbourne's chances against the Cats. The Demons were pretty good against the Bombers last Saturday, but they face an even sterner test in Tom Wills Round.
Melbourne has gradually got better and better this season, with Dean Bailey's team becoming more accustomed to his game plan as the season has progressed. A fit list has been a problem for the Demons, though, and their task won't be any easier this week after suffering a couple of injuries to key players against Essendon last week. The availability of Aaron Davey and Brad Miller will be crucial to Melbourne's chances against the Cats. The Demons were pretty good against the Bombers last Saturday, but they face an even sterner test in Tom Wills Round.
RANDOM FACTS
Joel Selwood notched 30 disposals for the first time in his career in round 12 against Port Adelaide. However in the past five weeks he's averaging more than 32 touches.
First-year Demon Cale Morton has had an impressive debut season in a disappointing season for Melbourne. He's averaged almost 18 disposals from 15 matches in 2008.
Melbourne's record in second quarters this year is the worst of any team in any quarter. The Demons have won just one second term all season.
KEY MATCH UPS
Jimmy Bartel v James McDonald
You'll have to feel for whichever Demon stands alongside Bartel at the opening bounce, such is the Brownlow medallist's current form. He is averaging 34 touches and seven marks from his past five games. Demon 'Junior' McDonald is an experienced campaigner and wouldn't be daunted by the challenge of taking on the star Cat. He was also in great form last week, so a clash between that pair would be worth seeing.
Gary Ablett v Lynden Dunn
Ablett is tipped to return on Friday night although it wouldn't surprise if the Cats gave their star another week. If he does play however, he'll likely be hounded by one of Melbourne's best run-with players. The Demons have a few options. Young Clint Bartram is one of those but he might not have the body size yet, so the bigger Dunn – who has impressed with a few of his minding jobs this season – could get asked to do his toughest yet.
Andrew Mackie v Matthew Bate
Bate is one Melbourne forward who looks capable of causing the Cats a few problems. He has size, a good pair of hands and a decent-sized engine, which he often uses to roam further afield in a Ryan O'Keefe-type role. Mackie, a similar size who is equally comfortable roaming further up the ground, might be best-suited to pick up the crafty left-footer.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong coach Mark Thompson
"Playing at the MCG is good – I'm not sure how many people will turn up with the game being shown live – but I just think it's a nice opportunity to play at the 'G and to just keep playing the style of footy that we intend to play. It's a test of our character, and that's probably the big thing for the week."
Melbourne coach Dean Bailey
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow night probably more than some of the players because that's when good players take another step … There's going to be a few players on our team who are actually going to take a couple of steps forward in their development. They've shown that over the last three or four weeks. But against the best team, that's when you want to bring your best performance."
