SUMMARY
This is a big test for Melbourne in determining how much it has improved in the off-season. Heritier Lumumba, Jeff Garlett, Ben Newton and Sam Frost will all have a chance to prove the value of their recruitment as the Demons look to claw their way from the depths of the ladder. With Chris Dawes suspended, the forward-line onus will fall on teenage forward Jesse Hogan in his debut. Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett has been declared fit and again shapes as the difference between the sides. If the Suns are to achieve their goal of making the finals for the first time in the club's history, they simply must win against Melbourne and win well.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, April 4, 1.40pm AEDT
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2014, Gold Coast 11.20 (86) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R20, 2013, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Melbourne 10.17 (77) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2013, Gold Coast 16.18 (114) d Melbourne 7.12 (54) at the MCG
R19, 2012, Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 9.12 (66) at the MCG
R23, 2011, Melbourne 17.10 (112) d Gold Coast 12.10 (82) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast was inaccurate when it defeated Melbourne in round five last season. Gary Ablett collected 32 disposals and kicked two goals to earn the three Brownlow votes.
2.The Suns were strong in winning contested possessions in 2014, ranked third in the competition and averaging 144 per game. The Demons ranked 16th with 130 per game.
3. Melbourne and Gold Coast have won three games each from their six meetings.
4. Demons skipper Nathan Jones was No. 1 in the competition in 2014 for handball receives, averaging 14.7 per game. Suns midfielder Dion Prestia was 13th (10.6 per game).
5. Gold Coast has won two of its last three games at the MCG and in 2014 it won three of five games in Victoria. In contrast, Melbourne lost nine of 12 matches at the MCG last season.
6. Gary Ablett starts the season as the No. 1 ranked player in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. The Suns skipper starts on 723.4 player ratings points, well ahead of the next best, Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury (692.9). The Demons do not have a player inside the top 100, with captain Nathan Jones coming in at 101 (405.5 points) in the standings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jesse Hogan. The young Melbourne forward will finally make his long-awaited debut, his first AFL game delayed by nearly a year because of injury interruptions. The 20-year-old has shown through the NAB Challenge that he is fit, after shaking off the back issues of last season, and the Demons have high hopes he can be a potent weapon inside forward 50.
PREDICTION: Gold Coast by 31 points
