HB: Daniel Ward, Paul Wheatley, Daniel Bell
C: Brent Moloney, James McDonald, Brad Green
HF: Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Matthew Bate
F: Simon Godfrey, Mark Jamar, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Jeff White, Nathan Jones, Travis Johnstone
I/C (from): Nathan Brown, Clint Bizzell, Chris Johnson, Adem Yze, Paul Johnson, Ryan Ferguson, Ricky PetterdIn: Holland, P.Johnson, Bizzell, Ferguson, Yze, Petterd
Out: David Neitz (medial ligament), Russell Robertson (knee), Jared Rivers (hamstring soreness)
New: Petterd (Broadbeach)GEELONGB: Corey Enright, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie
HB: Josh Hunt, Matthew Egan, Darren Milburn
C: David Wojcinski, Jimmy Bartel, Shannon Byrnes
HF: Paul Chapman, Cameron Mooney, James Kelly
F: Nathan Ablett, Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett
FOLL: Mark Blake, Cameron Ling, Joel Corey
I/C (from): Charlie Gardiner, Tom Hawkins, Travis Varcoe, Brent Prismall, David Johnson, Joel Selwood, Kane TenaceIn: Kelly, D.Johnson, Tenace
Out: - MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 15 April, MCG, 2.10pm (local time)MEDIA COVERAGE:
Television – Channel 7, Radio – afl.com.au, Triple M, 3AW, K-Rock, ABC, 5AA, 6PRTAB SPORTSBET (VIC)
Melbourne – $3.10, Geelong – $1.34LADDER POSITION
Melbourne – 16th, Geelong – 5thWIN/LOSS RECORD
Played – 201, Melbourne – 83, Geelong – 116, Drawn – 2AT THIS GROUND
Played – 99, Melbourne – 51, Geelong – 48LAST TIME
Round 21, 2006 – Melbourne 14.10 (94) drew with Geelong 14.10 (94), Skilled StadiumRECENT STREAK
The last time the two sides met the match was a draw. But before that clash, Melbourne had won three of its past four encounters against Geelong.MILESTONES
This will be the 100th AFL match between Melbourne and Geelong at the MCG.INJURIES
Melbourne – David Neitz (medial ligament), Russell Robertson (knee), Jared Rivers (hamstring soreness), Brock McLean (foot), Clint Bartram (knee), Lynden Dunn (cheekbone), James Frawley (foot) and Isaac Weetra (hamstring).Geelong – Tom Harley (finger tendon), Max Rooke (hamstring strain), Steven King (calf strain), Joel Reynolds (knee), Tom Lonergan (abdominal) and Ryan Gamble (ankle).SELECTION TABLE
Injuries have struck Melbourne in a big way with three key players – David Neitz, Russell Robertson and Jared Rivers – all out of the side this weekend due to injury. This has resulted in five inclusions for the Demons. Ben Holland has been named in the starting 18, after he was dropped in round two, while Paul Johnson, Clint Bizzell, Ryan Ferguson, Adem Yze and Ricky Petterd have been included on the seven-man bench. Bizzell is in line to play his first match since 2005, after injury ruined his 2006 season, while Yze is also in contention to resume after his 226 consecutive game streak ended last round. And Petterd is in line to play his first AFL match after he was selected in last year's NAB AFL Draft. Geelong has included James Kelly in its starting 18 and included David Johnson and Kane Tenace on its extended interchange. Charlie Gardiner, Tom Hawkins, Travis Varcoe, Brent Prismall and Joel Selwood are also in the mix to play, having been named on the bench.FORM
Unfortunately for Melbourne, 2007 hasn't begun quite as hoped. A disappointing showing against St Kilda in round one, plus an injury-riddled loss against Hawthorn was hardly the blueprint Neale Daniher and his charges envisaged entering the season. The loss of David Neitz and Russell Robertson for the next month – both players injured their knees last round – is a massive blow. It will be a significant challenge for Melbourne to overcome the loss of the outstanding duo. A bright point is the fight Melbourne showed to comeback against Hawthorn last round. It will need to produce that ticker again against Geelong, which bounced back emphatically against Carlton in round two. The Cats recorded a 78-point win, after going down to the Western Bulldogs in round one. The unearthing of Tom Hawkins and Travis Varcoe was the cherry on top against the Blues.RED HOT
Cameron Bruce was outstanding against Hawthorn on Easter Monday. The versatile Demon spent time in the midfield, up forward and down back, yet he managed 29 disposals and 10 marks. He was rated Melbourne's best player according to Champion Data. Bruce has won 47 touches in two matches to sit only behind James McDonald for the most number of disposals by a Demon in 2007. For the Cats, young forward Nathan Ablett has started the season in fine style. He booted three goals in round one and five against Carlton last Saturday night.MATCH-UP TO WATCH
Brad Miller v Matthew Egan/Matthew Scarlett – Miller will be crucial to Melbourne's fortunes in the coming rounds without Neitz and Robertson in attack. Against the Hawks, Miller booted three goals and was among Melbourne's better performers. He finished with 17 disposals and eight marks. With two of Melbourne's key forwards missing, either Egan or Scarlett will take him. Despite the absence of Neitz and Robertson, Miller is still likely to push further up the ground, meaning Egan is more likely.HOW'S STAT?
Cameron Bruce has averaged 24.75 disposals in his past four matches against Geelong. In his most recent match against Geelong in round 21 last year, Bruce won 30 disposals and received two Brownlow Medal votes.MEMORABLE MATCH
Round 1, 1994 – Melbourne 26.18 (174) d Geelong 16.13 (109), MCG. Melbourne handed out Geelong a 65-point drubbing in the opening round of the season. Although the Cats were comprehensively outplayed, the Demons revelled in the goalkicking exploits of Allen Jakovich (eight goals), Garry Lyon (five) and David Schwarz (four), the key forwards combining for 17 goals. Forward/midfielder Andy Lovell also jagged four majors. Sean Wight was also a star in defence, holding Gary Ablett snr to just two goals. Melbourne’s score has been bettered only seven times in the club's history, and never since that day.FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Clint Bizzell – (Geelong 1996-01 – 75 matches, Melbourne 2002-present, 78 matches). Originally from Kedron Grange in Queensland, Bizzell made his name as a forward with Geelong before switching to Melbourne at the end of the 2001 season. His best effort in front of goal was six majors against Essendon in round 17, 2000 – this remains his best haul in the AFL. Once in red and blue colours, Bizzell became a fine defender and he was rewarded with Australian representation in the 2003 International Rules series, after an outstanding season. He notched up his 150th AFL match with Melbourne in 2005, but a leg fracture ruined his year last season and he was unable to play a senior match. He remains on Melbourne's list and is on the cusp of senior selection.WHAT THE COACH SAYS
"We showed improvement against Hawthorn and we will keep working on improving aspects of our game and look to open our account against the Cats. Losing Neitz and Robertson … will give a few others the opportunity to play this week, and will also leave the opposition guessing how we will structure up this Sunday." – Neale Daniher on melbournefc.com.au.WHAT THE FAN SAYS
"It'll be a great challenge for the team and a good chance for the youngsters to step up with several key senior players out of the side." – Vaughan, St Kilda East.
