Match details
Saturday, April 7, 4.40 pm (EST), 2.40pm (local time), Patersons Stadium
Teams
Melbourne
B: Joel Macdonald, James Frawley, Clint Bartram
HB: Jamie Bennell, Jared Rivers, Colin Garland
C: Jack Watts, Jack Grimes, Nathan Jones
HF: Ricky Petterd, James Sellar, Jeremy Howe
F: Lynden Dunn, Mitch Clark, Brad Green
FOLL: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove
I/C: Jordie McKenzie, Matthew Bate, Stef Martin, Rohan Bail
EMG: Aaron Davey, Tom McDonald, Josh Tynan
IN: Petterd, Sellar, Dunn, Bennell
OUT: Moloney (groin), Davey, Blease, Tynan
West Coast Eagles
B: Beau Waters, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Adam Selwood, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis, Matt Rosa
HF: Ashton Hams, Quinten Lynch, Jack Darling
F: Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten
FOLL: Dean Cox, Luke Shuey, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Andrew Embley, Scott Selwood, Nic Naitanui, Ashley Smith
EMG: Sam Butler, Patrick McGinnity, Gerrick Weedon
IN: -
OUT: -
Broadcast guide
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Form
Melbourne: L
West Coast Eagles: W
Ladder position
Melbourne: 14th
West Coast Eagles: 3rd
Head-to-head
Played: 42
Melbourne: 15
West Coast Eagles: 27
Drawn: 0
At this ground
Played: 17
Melbourne: 5
West Coast Eagles: 12
Drawn: 0
Last time they met
Round 21, 2011: West Coast Eagles 16.14 (110) d Melbourne 9.8 (62), Etihad Stadium
Recent streak
Melbourne has lost its past three in a row against West Coast and won just three of its previous 13 against the Eagles
Memorable match
Round 22, 2000: Melbourne 26.14 (170) d West Coast Eagles 15.10 (100), Subiaco Oval (Patersons Stadium)
The Demons produced a 70-point win, highlighted by five goals from Adem Yze. Cameron Bruce also kicked four and Jeff Farmer three. Bruce and Russell Robertson proved so effective on the retiring Guy McKenna that the West Coast great - and now Gold Coast coach - took himself off the ground. Despite being 10 points down early in the game, Melbourne kicked 10 unanswered goals, which resulted in West Coast missing the finals for the first time since 1989. The Demons finished third on the ladder - their best home-and-away finish since 1964.
Milestones
Melbourne: James Sellar will make his debut for Melbourne, having previously played 21 matches with Adelaide
West Coast Eagles: Shannon Hurn (100 AFL matches)
Coaching record
Mark Neeld: 1 match, 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
John Worsfold: 221 matches, 119 wins, 2 draws, 100 loses
Injury list
Melbourne: Lucas Cook (groin) - 2 weeks, Michael Evans (back) - indefinite, Max Gawn (knee) - season, Jordan Gysberts (ankle) - 4-6 weeks, Neville Jetta (ankle) - indefinite, Liam Jurrah (wrist) - 3 weeks, Ricky Petterd (leg) - test, Jake Spencer (knee) - 1 week, James Strauss (concussion) - test, Colin Sylvia (back) - 3 weeks, Rory Taggert (back) - indefinite
West Coast Eagles: Mark LeCras (knee) - season, Mark Nicoski (hamstring) - 12-14 weeks, Andrew Strijk (quad) - 1-2 weeks
Players to watch
Melbourne: James Magner
The 24-year-old was one of Melbourne’s best performers in an otherwise frustrating display against the Lions last round. On debut, Magner managed a team-high 23 disposals and booted two goals - with consecutive kicks in the first term. His ability to win the contested and uncontested ball was a feature of his play. He certainly enhanced the poster boy image for mature-age recruits.
West Coast Eagles: Josh Kennedy
The key forward started the 2012 season with a bang, booting seven goals against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium to lead the competition’s goalkicking. Kennedy’s first five kicks of the match reaped goals and by early in the second term, he had five on the board. An imposing figure, Kennedy looms as a dangerous threat this season for opposition teams.
Match-up to watch
Mark Jamar/Stef Martin v Dean Cox/Nic Naitanui
Cox and Naitanui are now widely regarded the best combination in the business and have become a primary focus for opposition teams. The two All-Australians - Cox and Jamar -plus their athletic partners Martin and Naitanui will add another flavour to the ruck mix.
Most disposals
Melbourne: James Magner (23)
West Coast Eagles: Matt Priddis (33)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (6)
West Coast Eagles: Quinten Lynch (11)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (8)
West Coast Eagles: Jack Darling (9)
Most goals
Melbourne: Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe, James Magner (2)
West Coast Eagles: Josh Kennedy (7)
How’s stat?
West Coast has won its past 11 matches at Patersons Stadium. The first of those 11 came against Melbourne in round six, 2011.
Foot in both camps
Steven Armstrong, Darren Bennett, Neale Daniher, Dean Irving, Andy Lovell, Craig Turley, Phil Read, Paul Johnson
What Mark Neeld says …
“Will the same 22 travel to Perth? Not on your life. I am not going to go down a similar road and continue to put blind faith in players - no way, absolutely no way. And that’s fair enough. That’s not a threat. It’s not anything other than being honest, and that’s what the players were told.”
Key Melbourne question
The Demons produced a very disappointing opening round, especially the second half. Will the Dees show the necessary character to respond on the road, over in the west?
Key West Coast Eagles question
Can West Coast keep up its strong early season form and become a genuine force in 2012?
Summary
Round one was a ball of emotions for the red and blue. The lead-up up was tough for all, with the farewell of club great Jim Stynes. But the ensuing match was an afternoon of genuine frustration. It started positively enough - the Demons led by 11 points at quarter-time - and although they trailed by four points at half-time, it was game-on. But a six-goal to one third quarter catapulted the Lions to a 31-point lead at the final change. In the wash-up, the Lions got over the line by 41 points. The Demons now have one of the biggest challenges in the game - overcoming West Coast on its home turf. The Eagles had a comfortable win over the Dogs first-up and will be brimming with confidence. It will be a tough ask for the Demons, but a great opportunity to show some genuine character.
