Match Details

Melbourne v Geelong
GMHBA Stadium
Saturday July 21, 7.25pm AEST

Summary

Seventeen rounds after its nail-biting season-opener at the MCG, Melbourne and Geelong will battle it out on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.

The match looms as an old-fashioned battle between attack and defence. Geelong has conceded an average of 72.3 points a match – the third lowest in the league. Melbourne on the other hand, continue to be the league’s number one attackers, scoring at an average rate of 105 points a game.

With the way the ladder is working, a Melbourne win could not only solidify a finals spot but also reduce the likelihood of travel in week one of the finals series.

A loss could have major ramifications for the Dees and may even see Melbourne out of the top-eight by the end of the round.

As an extra bonus for Melbourne fans, the VFLW (1pm at Queens Park, Highton) and VFL (3:45pm at GMHBA Stadium) will be played consecutively in Geelong prior to the AFL game at 7:25pm.

Team news

Melbourne
The Demons have made two changes due to injury with Dom Tyson and Joel Smith coming in for Mitch Hannan (knee) and Michael Hibberd (quad).

Geelong
Geelong has made two changes to its line-up following its round 17 loss to the Crows in Adelaide. Defender Lachie Henderson and Jordan Cunico have been included with Wylie Buzza and Sam Simpson omitted.

Players to watch

Max Gawn
Despite missing a set-shot in the dying minutes, Gawn was one of Melbourne’s best in the round one clash against Geelong. The ruckman had 47 hit outs and 20 disposals against the Cats in March. Gawn has kept those sort of stats up, stringing arguably one of the best seasons by a ruckman in modern history.

Clayton Oliver
The narrow dimensions of GMHBA Stadium may see the game played on a contested level, which will suit inside midfielders like Clayton Oliver. Oliver is ranked second in the league this season for contested possessions, while his tackling pressure will also be vital.

Patrick Dangerfield
One part of the deadly “Dangerwoodlett” trio which also includes Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood, Dangerfield could be damaging on Saturday if allowed to have his own way. Last weekend against Adelaide, Dangerfield not only racked up 33 touches, but also scored three goals and made a game-high 10 tackles. 

In the media

Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn on Geelong
“We definitely need one (a big scalp) in the next six weeks, otherwise we're not going to make finals. Geelong's a good start.”

Gawn on the round one set-shot miss: “I'm more than happy to be involved in the same situation again. I don't know how I would react on the Monday if it doesn't go my way again, but we're pretty excited to face Geelong.”

Geelong forward Tom Hawkins on Melbourne
“We’ve been a little bit up and down and Melbourne has played some really good football and not too dissimilar to us to be honest – [the Demons] haven’t been at their best against other sides.

“For those that can remember, Max Gawn had a shot from 30 [metres] out, effectively to win the game with only seconds left and missed. Fortunately for us, we won that game, but it could have gone the other way.

2018 so far

Ladder position (as of publication date)
Melbourne: 6th (W10, L6)
Geelong: 8th (W9, L7)

Past five matches
Melbourne: LLLWW
Geelong: WLLWL

Scoring record
Melbourne points for: 247.175 (1680) – best attack in the AFL
Melbourne points against: 188.139 (1290) – 10th best defence in the AFL

Geelong points for: 198.159 (1383) – seventh best attack in the AFL
Geelong points against: 161.163 (1157) – third best defence in the AFL

Did you know…

  • This will be the first time since round 21, 2006 where Melbourne has played Geelong while sitting higher on the ladder.
  • After 16 games, Clayton Oliver is averaging 7.06 tackles a game. The only Melbourne player with a higher average in a season was James McDonald who averaged 7.44 tackles a game in 2010 (also in 16 matches).
  • After another lazy 47 hit outs against the Bulldogs in round 17, Max Gawn now holds 18 of the 20 highest single game hit-out counts in Melbourne history. For the record, the other two are held by Mark Jamar.

Melbourne Milestones

Angus Brayshaw: 50 games
Jake Melksham: 150 games and 100 career goals (needs four more goals)
Nathan Jones: 100 games as captain

Head-to-head history

Total
Played: 215 games
Melbourne: 84 wins
Geelong: 129 wins
Drawn: 2 matches

At GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park)
Played: 57 games
Melbourne: 18 wins
Geelong: 38 wins
Drawn: 1 match

Past decade
Played: 12 games
Melbourne: 1 win
Geelong: 11 wins

Last time we met
Round one, 2018: Melbourne 13.16 (94) defeated by Geelong 14.13 (97) at the MCG

Highest home and away season attendance
81,550 – round eight, 1963 at the MCG

Biggest wins
Melbourne: 79 points (round 7, 1909 at the MCG)
Geelong: 186 points (round 19, 2011 at Kardinia Park)

Match Day Hub

Head to our Match Day Hub for all the info on the Demons’ triple-header in Geelong.