Head to head: Melbourne 76 wins, Richmond 99 wins, two draws
Last time: Melbourne 20.13 (133) d Richmond 11.12 (78), round four, 2010 at MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Melbourne
Jack Grimes (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Jordie Gysberts (back) - 2-4 weeks
Danny Hughes (ankle) - 1-2 weeks
Stefan Martin (hip) - 1 week
John Meesen (foot) - season
Brent Moloney (corked thigh) - test
Michael Newton (quad) - test
Ricky Petterd (shoulder) - season
Jake Spencer (back) - 2 weeks
Richmond
Andrew Collins (leg) - test
Matt Dea (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Nathan Foley (leg) - season
Ben Griffiths (shoulder) - season
Tom Hislop (patella) - season
Jordan McMahon (ankle) - 1-2 weeks
Richard Tambling (leg) - season
Adam Thompson (groin) - season
FORM
Melbourne: LWLWW
Richmond: WWLLW
SUMMARY
After spending recent seasons in the doldrums, Melbourne and Richmond are suddenly developing reputations as two of the best young teams in the competition. In a touch over two months, the Tigers have gone from certain wooden-spooners to big improvers. Their victory over Adelaide in the hail at the MCG last weekend was their sixth win from their past nine games.
The Demons, meanwhile, have enjoyed such a revival that they remain in the hunt for a berth in the finals. In the past four weeks, they’ve beaten Essendon, the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions, with their only blemish being a narrow defeat at the hands of Fremantle in Perth. It all means that, while games between Melbourne and Richmond have traditionally failed to inspire, this could be quite an entertaining affair.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Melbourne star Colin Sylvia plays his 100th game on Sunday, and the milestone coincides with some of the best form of his career. Last weekend, he was dominant against the Lions at the Gabba, collecting 31 possessions and booting two goals. Having been selected with pick three in the 2003 national draft, Sylvia is finally developing into the type of game-breaking player the Demons hoped he would.
Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck couldn’t get a game in the early rounds, because coach Damien Hardwick had written him off as too old and too slow. But since fighting his way into the team, the 28-year-old has been in brilliant form, using his toughness and tenacity to help his team climb up the ladder.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Melbourne stay in the hunt for a place in the finals? The Demons are on the charge but they can’t afford to lose any of their remaining four games if they are to snatch a spot in the September action.
Can Jack Riewoldt fight off the challenge from Barry Hall and keep his nose in front in the race for the Coleman Medal. Last weekend, Riewoldt booted only two goals, while Hall bagged six for the Doggies. As a result, they’re now tied on 65 for the season.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Demons players are continually talking down their chances of running out in September, but surely the chance to play in the finals will give them enough motivation to get past the rejuvenated Tigers.
PREDICTION
Melbourne by 28 points
Chat with host Adam McNicol and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 1.40pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afldemonstigers
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
