Swans Media examines Melbourne’s camp ahead of the Sydney Swans’ clash with the Demons at the MCG on Friday night.
Recent form
Melbourne is placed 17th on the ladder, two rungs below 15th-placed Sydney, and suffered a 17-point defeat to Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday.
Gutsy on-baller Clayton Oliver was the Demons’ best on his way to 29 touches (14 contested), seven clearances, seven marks and 11 tackles, which earned him two AFL Coaches’ Association votes.
The Demons are riding a five-game losing streak and last tasted victory against Carlton in Round 16.
Ins and outs
Melbourne young gun Alex Neal-Bullen headlines five changes for the home side, with the elite runner set for his first match since being omitted ahead of Round 20.
The Demons will also welcome back defender Marty Hore, midfielder Billy Stretch and small forwards Charlie Spargo and Kade Chandler, who’s on the verge of his AFL debut.
Steven May (hamstring), Oscar McDonald (ankle), Harry Petty (groin), Jayden Hunt (omitted) and Oskar Baker (omitted) are the Demons’ outs for the round.
Key match-up
Sydney stopper George Hewett limited gun Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak to just 13 possessions on last Saturday’s trip to Adelaide Oval, and the 23-year-old is now a chance of clamping Oliver.
The 22-year-old is leading the Demons in average disposals (29.9) and contested possessions (16) per match this season, while he is a one-time Melbourne best-and-fairest and earned 2018 All Australian selection.
Last time they met
Inspirational Demons co-skipper Nathan Jones led his side to a 22-point win at the SCG when the clubs last met in Round 4.
Playing mainly on a wing, the 284-gamer slotted a match-high three goals from 21 disposals, including a six-pointer in the final term when the Swans were surging home.
All Australian Demons ruckman Max Gawn was also a stand-out on his way to 19 touches (10 contested), six clearances and 55 hit-outs, while Oliver finished with a Melbourne-high 33 disposals (20 contested), seven clearances and seven inside 50s.
What they said
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin: “We want to be a really competitive team over the last two rounds. We’ve clearly got some personnel challenges, but we want to be a team that when our supporters come to the game they rock up and see a really competitive effort. We’ve got Friday night footy and it’s an exciting night. It’s on national TV and we want to put in a really good performance.”
