Round 4 match preview: Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne
Match details
Sunday, April 17, Gabba, 2.10pm (local time)
Teams
Melbourne
B: Luke Tapscott, James Frawley, Clint Bartram
HB: Jared Rivers, Colin Garland, Jack Trengove
C: Jordan Gysberts, Jack Grimes, Rohan Bail
HF: Austin Wonaeamirri, Brad Green, Jamie Bennell
F: Liam Jurrah, Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Colin Sylvia
I/C: Nathan Jones, Jack Watts, Cale Morton, Stef Martin
Emg: Addam Maric, Ricky Petterd, James Strauss
IN: Addam Maric, Ricky Petterd, James Strauss
OUT: -
Gold Coast Suns
B: Nathan Bock, Karmichael Hunt, Seb Tape
HB: Josh Toy, Michael Coad, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Michael Rischitelli, Gary Ablett, Matt Shaw
HF: Luke Russell, Charlie Dixon, Danny Stanley
F: Josh Fraser, Daniel Gorringe, Brandon Matera
FOLL: Zac Smith, Daniel Harris, David Swallow
I/C: Dion Prestia, Jared Brennan, Trent McKenzie, Maverick Weller
Emg: Hayden Jolly, Jack Hutchins, Alik Magin
IN: Luke Russell, Josh Fraser, Joy Toy, Matt Shaw
OUT: Campbell Brown (suspension), Nathan Krakouer, Harley Bennell, Alik Magin
NEW: Luke Russell (Burnie Dockers, TAS), Matt Shaw (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
Media coverage
Television: Channel 7
Radio: afl.com.au, 3AW, Triple M Melbourne, ABC774, 1116 SEN, NIRS
Form
Melbourne: D, L, W
Gold Coast Suns: Bye, L, L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 10th
Gold Coast Suns: 17th
Head-to-head
Yet to play
Injury list
Melbourne: Robert Campbell (achilles) - 5 weeks, Jordie McKenzie (groin) - 4 weeks, Tom Scully (knee) - 6 weeks
Gold Coast Suns: Jeremy Taylor (groin) - 6 weeks, Joel Wilkinson (knee) - 2-4 weeks
Summary
It’s been an interesting start to the season for the Demons. Their record shows a win, draw and loss from three rounds. After drawing with Sydney Swans in the opening round, Melbourne produced a poor third quarter (kicking 1.1 to 8.11), resulting in a 45-point loss. It came after the Demons impressed with a 19-point lead at half-time. Last Sunday, Melbourne entered its clash against Brisbane Lions as favourites. And although the Dees gained the four points, the result wasn’t without some concerns. The red and blue trailed by 25 points at quarter-time and it wasn’t until it upped the ante in the second and third terms with 10 goals to four that a win was secured. In the wash-up, Melbourne won by 11 points, but it wasn’t a victory for the archives. On Sunday, the Demons will take on Gold Coast Suns for the first time. Although the Dees will again enter as red-hot favourites, they won’t take the Suns lightly, even though the AFL's newest team has lost their first two matches by an average of 95 points.
Players to watch
Melbourne: Brent Moloney
It’s been a big week for the midfielder. Moloney amassed 36 disposals against the Lions last round and was regarded by many as best-on-ground. By the following day, he was shaken with the news that he had lost the vice-captaincy, following a late night out drinking. Moloney will be hell-bent on producing another quality performance. He’s in very good form, so it will be fascinating to see him in full flight.
Gold Coast Suns: Gary Ablett
Still regarded by many as the game’s best player, the Geelong great and inaugural Gold Coast captain produced a fine 34-disposal display against the Western Bulldogs, after a quieter first round - at least by his standards. Although he doesn’t possess as the experience around him, as he did at Geelong, he remains a major obstacle for the Demons.
Match-up to watch
Rohan Bail v Gary Ablett
Bail has been given some big jobs this season, running with Josh Kennedy, Sam Mitchell and Simon Black in the first three rounds. Expect the improving midfielder to be given the massive task of running with the 2009 Brownlow Medallist.
2011 Melbourne statistics
Most disposals: Brent Moloney (80)
Most marks: Jack Grimes (21)
Most tackles: Brent Moloney (15)
Most goals: Liam Jurrah (9)
How’s stat?
It’s been 100 years since Melbourne opened its season with a win, draw and loss. In 1911, the red and blue won its first round over Fitzroy, drew with Geelong in round two and lost against Essendon round three.
Foot in both camps
Andy Lovell, Jeff White
What Dean Bailey says …
“Our weekly message has always been: ‘what have we learned from last week that we can improve on’. We didn’t start very well [in round three] and our first two minutes were OK, but from then on our first quarter was really poor. So we’re not looking anything beyond the first contest. But certainly the first quarter, we need to be making sure our ball use and our inside 50s really count early. That’s going to be a challenge this week and for the rest of the year. That doesn’t change our mindset, but when you travel interstate, our start is really important and we need to make sure we’re in front.”
What @DemonsHQ is saying …
lucillecampbell Lucille Campbell
Going to Queensland for the weekend to watch @DemonsHQ vs Gold Coast Suns. Can't wait!!!
Key Melbourne question
How will Melbourne fare against the AFL's 17th team first-up?
Match details
Sunday, April 17, Gabba, 2.10pm (local time)
Teams
Melbourne
B: Luke Tapscott, James Frawley, Clint Bartram
HB: Jared Rivers, Colin Garland, Jack Trengove
C: Jordan Gysberts, Jack Grimes, Rohan Bail
HF: Austin Wonaeamirri, Brad Green, Jamie Bennell
F: Liam Jurrah, Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Colin Sylvia
I/C: Nathan Jones, Jack Watts, Cale Morton, Stef Martin
Emg: Addam Maric, Ricky Petterd, James Strauss
IN: Addam Maric, Ricky Petterd, James Strauss
OUT: -
Gold Coast Suns
B: Nathan Bock, Karmichael Hunt, Seb Tape
HB: Josh Toy, Michael Coad, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Michael Rischitelli, Gary Ablett, Matt Shaw
HF: Luke Russell, Charlie Dixon, Danny Stanley
F: Josh Fraser, Daniel Gorringe, Brandon Matera
FOLL: Zac Smith, Daniel Harris, David Swallow
I/C: Dion Prestia, Jared Brennan, Trent McKenzie, Maverick Weller
Emg: Hayden Jolly, Jack Hutchins, Alik Magin
IN: Luke Russell, Josh Fraser, Joy Toy, Matt Shaw
OUT: Campbell Brown (suspension), Nathan Krakouer, Harley Bennell, Alik Magin
NEW: Luke Russell (Burnie Dockers, TAS), Matt Shaw (Dandenong Stingrays, VIC)
Media coverage
Television: Channel 7
Radio: afl.com.au, 3AW, Triple M Melbourne, ABC774, 1116 SEN, NIRS
Form
Melbourne: D, L, W
Gold Coast Suns: Bye, L, L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 10th
Gold Coast Suns: 17th
Head-to-head
Yet to play
Injury list
Melbourne: Robert Campbell (achilles) - 5 weeks, Jordie McKenzie (groin) - 4 weeks, Tom Scully (knee) - 6 weeks
Gold Coast Suns: Jeremy Taylor (groin) - 6 weeks, Joel Wilkinson (knee) - 2-4 weeks
Summary
It’s been an interesting start to the season for the Demons. Their record shows a win, draw and loss from three rounds. After drawing with Sydney Swans in the opening round, Melbourne produced a poor third quarter (kicking 1.1 to 8.11), resulting in a 45-point loss. It came after the Demons impressed with a 19-point lead at half-time. Last Sunday, Melbourne entered its clash against Brisbane Lions as favourites. And although the Dees gained the four points, the result wasn’t without some concerns. The red and blue trailed by 25 points at quarter-time and it wasn’t until it upped the ante in the second and third terms with 10 goals to four that a win was secured. In the wash-up, Melbourne won by 11 points, but it wasn’t a victory for the archives. On Sunday, the Demons will take on Gold Coast Suns for the first time. Although the Dees will again enter as red-hot favourites, they won’t take the Suns lightly, even though the AFL's newest team has lost their first two matches by an average of 95 points.
Players to watch
Melbourne: Brent Moloney
It’s been a big week for the midfielder. Moloney amassed 36 disposals against the Lions last round and was regarded by many as best-on-ground. By the following day, he was shaken with the news that he had lost the vice-captaincy, following a late night out drinking. Moloney will be hell-bent on producing another quality performance. He’s in very good form, so it will be fascinating to see him in full flight.
Gold Coast Suns: Gary Ablett
Still regarded by many as the game’s best player, the Geelong great and inaugural Gold Coast captain produced a fine 34-disposal display against the Western Bulldogs, after a quieter first round - at least by his standards. Although he doesn’t possess as the experience around him, as he did at Geelong, he remains a major obstacle for the Demons.
Match-up to watch
Rohan Bail v Gary Ablett
Bail has been given some big jobs this season, running with Josh Kennedy, Sam Mitchell and Simon Black in the first three rounds. Expect the improving midfielder to be given the massive task of running with the 2009 Brownlow Medallist.
2011 Melbourne statistics
Most disposals: Brent Moloney (80)
Most marks: Jack Grimes (21)
Most tackles: Brent Moloney (15)
Most goals: Liam Jurrah (9)
How’s stat?
It’s been 100 years since Melbourne opened its season with a win, draw and loss. In 1911, the red and blue won its first round over Fitzroy, drew with Geelong in round two and lost against Essendon round three.
Foot in both camps
Andy Lovell, Jeff White
What Dean Bailey says …
“Our weekly message has always been: ‘what have we learned from last week that we can improve on’. We didn’t start very well [in round three] and our first two minutes were OK, but from then on our first quarter was really poor. So we’re not looking anything beyond the first contest. But certainly the first quarter, we need to be making sure our ball use and our inside 50s really count early. That’s going to be a challenge this week and for the rest of the year. That doesn’t change our mindset, but when you travel interstate, our start is really important and we need to make sure we’re in front.”
What @DemonsHQ is saying …
lucillecampbell Lucille Campbell
Going to Queensland for the weekend to watch @DemonsHQ vs Gold Coast Suns. Can't wait!!!
Key Melbourne question
How will Melbourne fare against the AFL's 17th team first-up?
