WHERE AND WHEN: Manuka Oval, Saturday August 18, 2.10pm
LAST TIME: Melbourne 20.15 (135) d Greater Western Sydney 9.3 (57), round 13, 2012 at the MCG.
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Greater Western Sydney returns to the ACT for the third and final time in 2012. The two previous trips have been encouraging - a win over Gold Coast and a competitive showing against Western Bulldogs - and the team will be confident of a good result against Melbourne. But they should expect to face a Demons side keen to pick up its fourth win of the year. Melbourne was reasonable against St Kilda last week and strolled past the Giants by 78 points at the MCG in round 13.
THE FOUR POINTS
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
1. Luke Power brings up a significant milestone when he competes in game 300 at Manuka Oval. It was a mark he never felt he'd reach when he retired from the Brisbane Lions last season, but he has already made 17 appearances for GWS and will cap his outstanding career by joining the 300 club as a Giant.
2. The Giants will have very fond memories of their second home in Canberra. It will forever be the venue where the club picked up its first AFL win with the 27-point triumph over Gold Coast back in round seven. The club was hopeful of a competitive showing with Melbourne in round 13, but fell well short. It will expect a better performance the second time around.
3. Goalkicking has been an issue all season long. Only once this year - against Port Adelaide in round 19 - have the Giants managed 100 points in a game. Jeremy Cameron is their goalkicking leader with 29, but Jonathan Giles (15) is the only other Giant in double figures. They will need to find a spread of goalkickers to have a shot at knocking off the Dees.
4. Melbourne is ahead of GWS in most statistical categories, but the Giants have their noses in front in a couple of areas, namely disposals and marks. If they can dictate possession against the Demons, starting with midfielders Adam Treloar, Power, Devon Smith and Tom Scully, they will have a shot at matching Melbourne on three wins for the year.
MELBOURNE
1. This shapes as a critical game for the Demons to ensure their season ends with some respect on the ladder. They defeated Greater Western Sydney by 78 points in round 13, Mitch Clark's four goals in the first half proving the difference. Since that game the team has improved in many statistical indicators, however it has only won one more game. With reasonable form in the past two games, and playing a team with less experience, Melbourne should get the job done.
2. Sam Blease is developing into the type of game breaker Melbourne has lacked for most of the season. His NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after kicking five goals against St Kilda on Saturday is just reward for hard work and persistence. Possessing speed, he is about to enter the next phase of his development as he will soon receive more attention from opposition coaches.
3. One of the underrated improvers on Melbourne's list has been co-captain Jack Grimes. Finally able to play consecutive games without being interrupted by injury, he is showing his capability both as a player and in the midfield. In his 50th game on Saturday he gathered 29 disposals in an outstanding midfield performance. He was one of the few Demons who could legitimately lay claim to playing four quarters against St Kilda.
4. Melbourne's form outside Victoria has been appalling. In four games outside the state in 2012, its average losing margin has been 74 points. It has not won at the SCG since 2006, and not won in Adelaide or Perth since 2004. However it has the chance to build some confidence on the road against the inexperienced Greater Western Sydney.
AFL.com.au prediction: Melbourne by four points
?The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
