Melbourne plans to use a number of defenders to combat star Sydney forward Lance Franklin at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said a number of big-framed Demons would rotate on the Western Australian, who booted six goals in Sydney’s win over Collingwood last week.
“Sam Frost will get the first look at Buddy and we’ll have some guys who will operate through him as well, with Oscar McDonald,” Goodwin told reporters on Thursday.
“We’ll have some plans in place but no doubt he’s a huge challenge. We saw last week again what he’s capable of doing. He can singlehandedly take the game away from you.
“We’re aware of that and we’ll make sure we’ve got some plans in place.”
Frost is a former Giant with 63 games of AFL experience, while McDonald has piled up 56 senior matches.
But the Demons are at their most dangerous in the midfield, with All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn linking with captain Nathan Jones, and star on-ballers Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw, in a fearsome mix.
While Jones has carried the mantle for the best part of the past decade, Oliver is this season among the top 10 in average disposals, contested possessions and clearances per game, while Brayshaw is running sixth in inside 50s.
Melbourne is ranked first in the AFL in contested possessions, inside 50s and hit-outs per game, and is running second in disposals and third in tackles.
The Demons are also averaging the most goals per game (15.5) in a sure sign their forwards are capitalising on the midfield’s strong service.
Demons Jesse Hogan (46 goals) and Tom McDonald (40) have this season booted the most majors.
Melbourne sits in fourth on the ladder ahead of the Round 21 fixture and has won four of its past five games.
The Demons cruised to a 96-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG last Sunday to remain in hot contention for their first finals appearance since 2006.
Jones is well aware of the opportunity that could lie ahead but says his side is focussed on the Swans.
“I think about finals all the time,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday.
“I don’t think you’d be human if you weren’t thinking about the possibilities and dreaming of what kind of outcomes there are.
“But being an elite athlete in a professional environment we stick to it one week at a time and every session counts because that’s ultimately how to get there. There’s a great opportunity here for the footy club, and this team in particular, but the season couldn’t be closer. We’re right in the thick of it with the teams all the way from third down to 12th and anything can happen.
“We’ve got to give ourselves the best chance by performing at our best for the next few weeks.”
The Swans have won the past six times Sydney and Melbourne have met and collected a 35-point victory at the MCG in Round 15, 2017 when the sides last squared off.
The Demons haven’t beaten the Swans since Round 17, 2010.
