ALL is in readiness for a monster Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG between Melbourne and Richmond, which both clubs will enter without any late changes.
A bumper 87,000 crowd is expected in what will be unseasonably warm and muggy conditions.
A cauldron will be lit before the match by the family of Private Greg Sher, who was killed on active service in Afghanistan in 2008.
The Tigers (3-1) are playing for a slice of history. Win tonight and this will be the first time they’ve been in the top two of the ladder during the season since 1995. They come into the match without the suspended Jack Graham, while Josh Caddy and Nick Vlaustin failed to come up.
Excitement machine Jack Higgins gets another look in, while premiership defender Nathan Broad comes in for first game for 2018 after a club-imposed suspension following last year’s Grand Final.
The Demons (2-2) are smarting following a 67-point loss to Hawthorn nine days ago. They axed three players and lost midfielder Jordan Lewis to a hand injury, and have recalled Dom Tyson, Sam Weideman, Billy Stretch and Jayden Hunt.
Coach Simon Goodwin has promised a fierce response and said the players and the club have done plenty of soul-searching and have reviewed the Hawthorn debacle extensively. How they respond will be the story of the night.
Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG, 7.25pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Melbourne: Christian Salem, Bernie Vince, Jeff Garlett, Josh Wagner
Richmond: Dion Prestia, Shaun Grigg, Bachar Houli, Jack Higgins
