Round 23 match preview: Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns
Match details
Sunday 28 August, 2.10 pm (local time)
Teams
Melbourne
B: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Clint Bartram
HB: Luke Tapscott, Jared Rivers, Tom McDonald
C: Sam Blease, Brent Moloney, Jack Trengove
HF: Tom Scully, Stef Martin, Brad Green
F: Liam Jurrah, Jack Watts, Jamie Bennell
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Neville Jetta, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Cale Morton, Jordie McKenzie, Joel Macdonald, Tom McNamara, Jeremy Howe, Daniel Nicholson, Jack Fitzpatrick
IN: Tom McNamara, Luke Tapscott, Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Daniel Nicholson
OUT: Aaron Davey (suspension), Colin Sylvia (suspension), Ricky Petterd (quadriceps)
NEW: Tom McDonald, Jack Fitzpatrick
Gold Coast Suns
B: Seb Tape, Rory Thompson, Karmichael Hunt
HB: Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Matt Shaw, David Swallow, Dion Prestia
HF: Luke Russell, Trent McKenzie, Danny Stanley
F: Tom Hickey, Nathan Ablett, Brandon Matera
FOLL: Zac Smith, Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli
I/C (from): Harley Bennell, Josh Caddy, Jacob Gilbee, Jack Hutchins, Sam Iles, Maverick Weller, Josh Toy
IN: Zac Smith, Josh Toy, Brandon Matera, Jack Hutchins, Sam Iles, Josh Caddy, Jacob Gilbee
OUT:Josh Fraser (ill), Joseph Daye, Steven May, Joel Tippett
NEW: Josh Caddy, Jacob Gilbee
TV times
Ch 7 (Melbourne 3 pm)
Radio times
3AW, Triple M, K-Rock
Form
Melbourne: D, L, W, W, Bye, L, W, L, L, L, W, L, W, W, L, Bye, W, L, L, L, L, L
Melbourne: D, L, W, W, Bye, L, W, L, L, L, W, L, W, W, L, Bye, W, L, L, L, L, L
Gold Coast: Bye, L, L, L, W, L, W, L, Bye, L, L, L, L, L, L, L, W, L, L, L, L, L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 13th
Ladder position
Melbourne: 13th
Gold Coast: 16th
Head-to-head
Played: 1
Melbourne: 1 win
Gold Coast: 0 wins
Drawn: 0
At this ground:
Played: 0
Melbourne: 0 wins
Gold Coast: 0 wins
Drawn: 0
Last time they met
Round 4, 2011: Melbourne 23.21 (159) d Melbourne 9.15 (69) at the Gabba
Injury list
Melbourne:
Jack Grimes (foot) - season, Jordan Gysberts (wrist) - season, Michael Newton (foot) - test, Jake Spencer (knee) - season, James Strauss (leg) - season, Luke Tapscott (hip) - test, Austin Wonaeamirri (ankle) - season
Gold Coast
Roland Ah Chee (shoulder) - season, Campbell Brown (pelvis) - season, Michael Coad (hamstring) - season, Sam Day (knee) - season, Piers Flanagan (hip) - season, Daniel Gorringe (ankle) -season, Sam Iles (hip) - available, Tom Lynch (back) - 1 week, Jack Stanley (ankle) - season, Jeremy Taylor (hip) - season
Summary
Melbourne’s disappointing run continued with a seven-point loss against Richmond last round - its fifth loss in succession. After losses against Hawthorn, Geelong, Carlton and West Coast Eagles - four of the top five teams - the Demons dropped what was viewed as a ‘winnable’ match against the Tigers. But after an impressive win over Sydney Swans in round 21, Richmond backed it up with an impressive display against Melbourne. Aside from a handful of Demons - including five goals and 29 disposals from Colin Sylvia - interim coach Todd Viney was more frustrated by the loss than his first two matches in charge, which produced heavy losses against the Blues and Eagles. This round, the Demons have the opportunity to bounce back over Gold Coast Suns. Despite Melbourne’s disappointing form in recent weeks, it is regarded by most as a certainty to defeat Gold Coast at the ‘G. But it must be on its game to ensure the Suns don’t pull off an upset victory at their inaugural match at the home of football.
Players to watch
Melbourne: Tom McDonald
The first-year tall defender will make his debut against the Suns, after being on the cusp for much of the second half of the season. Melbourne’s fourth (No.53 overall) - and final - pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, McDonald has impressed with Casey this season. After being an emergency four times, he will take his place in the 22.
Gold Coast Suns: Gary Ablett
The superstar has continued his stellar career, leading Gold Coast in its inaugural season. He has accumulated 534 disposals from 18 appearances, having missed a couple due to injury. Last round, he notched up 39 disposals against Adelaide and he will now play his first match at the MCG since claiming 40 touches against Collingwood in last year’s preliminary final.
Match-up to watch
Jordie McKenzie/Clint Bartram v Gary Ablett
Expect McKenzie or Bartram to be given the significant challenge of running with Ablett. McKenzie and Bartram will give their absolute all against the gun midfielder. Both could get a crack at Ablett throughout the match.
Most disposals in 2011
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (459)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (534)
Most marks in 2011
Melbourne: Jack Watts (114)
Gold Coast: Nathan Bock (130)
Most tackles in 2011
Melbourne: Brent Moloney (108)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (107)
Most goals in 2011
Melbourne: Liam Jurrah (37)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett/Danny Stanley (18)
Foot in both camps
Dale Dickson, Andy Lovell, Jeff White
What Todd Viney says …
“We’ve been really disappointed in the season to date. Regardless if we win the next two, we’ve been disappointed in our season. We’ve lost a coach throughout that process and regardless of the next two weeks, it’s been a disappointing season.”
Key Melbourne question
Melbourne is set to play Gold Coast (16th) and Port Adelaide (17th) in the final two rounds. How will the Demons fare now they are no longer in contention for the finals?
Round 4, 2011: Melbourne 23.21 (159) d Melbourne 9.15 (69) at the Gabba
Injury list
Melbourne:
Jack Grimes (foot) - season, Jordan Gysberts (wrist) - season, Michael Newton (foot) - test, Jake Spencer (knee) - season, James Strauss (leg) - season, Luke Tapscott (hip) - test, Austin Wonaeamirri (ankle) - season
Gold Coast
Roland Ah Chee (shoulder) - season, Campbell Brown (pelvis) - season, Michael Coad (hamstring) - season, Sam Day (knee) - season, Piers Flanagan (hip) - season, Daniel Gorringe (ankle) -season, Sam Iles (hip) - available, Tom Lynch (back) - 1 week, Jack Stanley (ankle) - season, Jeremy Taylor (hip) - season
Summary
Melbourne’s disappointing run continued with a seven-point loss against Richmond last round - its fifth loss in succession. After losses against Hawthorn, Geelong, Carlton and West Coast Eagles - four of the top five teams - the Demons dropped what was viewed as a ‘winnable’ match against the Tigers. But after an impressive win over Sydney Swans in round 21, Richmond backed it up with an impressive display against Melbourne. Aside from a handful of Demons - including five goals and 29 disposals from Colin Sylvia - interim coach Todd Viney was more frustrated by the loss than his first two matches in charge, which produced heavy losses against the Blues and Eagles. This round, the Demons have the opportunity to bounce back over Gold Coast Suns. Despite Melbourne’s disappointing form in recent weeks, it is regarded by most as a certainty to defeat Gold Coast at the ‘G. But it must be on its game to ensure the Suns don’t pull off an upset victory at their inaugural match at the home of football.
Players to watch
Melbourne: Tom McDonald
The first-year tall defender will make his debut against the Suns, after being on the cusp for much of the second half of the season. Melbourne’s fourth (No.53 overall) - and final - pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, McDonald has impressed with Casey this season. After being an emergency four times, he will take his place in the 22.
Gold Coast Suns: Gary Ablett
The superstar has continued his stellar career, leading Gold Coast in its inaugural season. He has accumulated 534 disposals from 18 appearances, having missed a couple due to injury. Last round, he notched up 39 disposals against Adelaide and he will now play his first match at the MCG since claiming 40 touches against Collingwood in last year’s preliminary final.
Match-up to watch
Jordie McKenzie/Clint Bartram v Gary Ablett
Expect McKenzie or Bartram to be given the significant challenge of running with Ablett. McKenzie and Bartram will give their absolute all against the gun midfielder. Both could get a crack at Ablett throughout the match.
Most disposals in 2011
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (459)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (534)
Most marks in 2011
Melbourne: Jack Watts (114)
Gold Coast: Nathan Bock (130)
Most tackles in 2011
Melbourne: Brent Moloney (108)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (107)
Most goals in 2011
Melbourne: Liam Jurrah (37)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett/Danny Stanley (18)
Foot in both camps
Dale Dickson, Andy Lovell, Jeff White
What Todd Viney says …
“We’ve been really disappointed in the season to date. Regardless if we win the next two, we’ve been disappointed in our season. We’ve lost a coach throughout that process and regardless of the next two weeks, it’s been a disappointing season.”
Key Melbourne question
Melbourne is set to play Gold Coast (16th) and Port Adelaide (17th) in the final two rounds. How will the Demons fare now they are no longer in contention for the finals?
