IN JUST FOUR days’ time, Melbourne will be making its return to the MCG for the AFL’s blockbuster season-opener against the Western Bulldogs.

The grand final rematch, which is set to take place on Wednesday 16 March, is expected to be the biggest game of the opening round, both teams preparing for an action-packed night.

Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze said that although a Wednesday night match was a bit unusual for their regular schedule, the side was building up their sessions well ahead of their mid-week game.

“It’s little bit different, but our preparation has been good,” Yze told Melbourne Media.

“We’ve shifted everything back as if it’s like a weekend-to-weekend game.

“We had a good hit-out on Wednesday for training and now we’re starting the final prep.

“This weekend, we’ll start to build up and do our main session on Sunday and then we look forward to Wednesday.”

With grand final redemption no doubt driving the Bulldogs ahead of the game, Yze said that the Demons were anticipating a tight battle. 

“[We’re expecting] a really tough contest, that’s what they brought all year last year, let alone in the grand final,” Yze said.

“We understand each other’s game styles, so it comes down to the contest and being really hard at the footy.

“The result of the grand final may have given them a bit more momentum or sting in their tail, but I think playing in front of our crowd, with the boys looking forward to being back at the ‘G, it should be a really great contest.”

The Round 1 game holds extra-special meaning for Melbourne-based fans with the game marking their first time seeing the Demons back on the hallowed turf of the MCG since July of 2021. 

“We’ve had different functions leading up to this game, and you can just feel the excitement speaking to the die-hard supporters that missed out on watching finals last year," Yze said. 

“Being away for that whole month and them watching from afar, you think that they’ll hopefully come to the footy and let their emotions spill out on game day.

“You have to get drawn into that, it’s a massive game, Round 1 always is, let alone a grand final rematch.

“So, we know our group are looking forward to it and so are we.”

Tickets are still available for the blockbuster clash, with kick-off scheduled for 7:10pm (AEDT).

Hear more of Yze’s Round 1 preview below.