Head to head: Melbourne 79 wins, Collingwood 141 wins, 4 draws
Last time: Collingwood 12.14 (86) d Melbourne 12.13 (85), round two, 2010 at the MCG
Melbourne did everything but get the four points when these two teams last met. With Ricky Petterd (four goals) and Brad Green (three) leading the way, the Demons looked the better side for much of the game as the Pies struggled for any fluency in attack. Petterd had the chance to snatch the match in the final seconds, but Steele Sidebottom’s desperate lunge and successful spoil foiled the Demon’s marking attempt in the goal square.
MISSING IN ACTION
Melbourne
James Frawley (back) - test
Nathan Jones (hamstring) - test
James McDonald (hamstring) - test
Colin Sylvia (foot) - test
Sam Blease (leg) - 2 weeks
Jake Spencer (knee) - 3 weeks
Rohan Bail (fractured cheekbone) - 3-4 weeks
Liam Jurrah (shoulder) - 3 weeks
Luke Tapscott (hip) - 4 weeks
Max Gawn (knee) - 5 weeks
John Meesen (ankle) - indefinite
Ricky Petterd (shoulder) - season
LAST WEEK
Carlton 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 9.6 (60) at the MCG
Carlton jumped Melbourne courtesy of a seven-goal opening term. When the weather was still okay, the Blues capitalised. Aaron Davey was given a hard time and couldn’t get into it. The Dees had their chances to get back in the match but blew some chances in the second. Then the rain started and Melbourne woke up. Five goals to two in the third term made it a game, but it was all too late as Carlton again kicked clear.
Leading goalkicker - Brad Green (27)
Leading ballwinner - Brent Moloney (278)
DANGER MAN
Experienced Demon Brad Green has looked his team’s most potent force in attack all season. When the Dees have been down in matches, Green has often been the only player that has looked capable of dragging the Dees back into the contest. He has booted 27 goals in 11 matches, his quick leading and clever body work a feature while his usually-precise left foot has rarely let him down.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
While Melbourne needs to win to stay in touch with the eight, coach Dean Bailey will also hoping to see his side compete with the Pies throughout the contest. The Demons have won just one of their past nine quarters. Is his young side tiring? Or have they simply faced superior opposition?
HOW’S STAT?
Melbourne has started its past two weeks in dreadful fashion. The Demons have won just four first quarters this season, compared to Collingwood’s eight - the same amount of games each team has won.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION SAYS
“It’s invaluable in the sense of the atmosphere, the build-up and the occasion. [But] you want to be productive in those big games rather than just rolling through the game at the end of it and saying ‘gee wasn’t that good’. We expect a little more than just the experience. We certainly expect our pressure to be there from the start.” - Melbourne coach Dean Bailey
WHAT THE PIES SAY
"They’re a very exciting side. I’m not in the habit of talking about the opposition pre-match, but they’re certainly on the right track.
"They’ve got some wonderful kids coming through … you envy them in many respects, the number of great kids they have got coming through.” - Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
