Match
Round nine: Melbourne v Fremantle
Details
Sunday, May 26, 2.40pm (local time), Patersons Stadium
Broadcast guide
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcast-guide
Form
Melbourne: L L L W L L L L
Fremantle: W W L L W W W D
Ladder position
Melbourne: 17th
Fremantle: 5th
Milestones
Melbourne: -
Fremantle: -
Coaching records
Mark Neeld: 30 matches, 5 wins, 0 draws, 25 losses
Ross Lyons: 140 matches, 90 wins, 4 draws, 46 losses
Injury lists
Melbourne: Shannon Byrnes (wrist) – test, Mitch Clark (foot) – 4-6 weeks, Jack Grimes (shoulder) – 5-7 weeks, Tom McDonald (shoulder) – 1-2 weeks, Nathan Stark (groin) – test, Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) – test, Jack Viney (foot) – 4 weeks, Jack Watts (hamstring) – test
Fremantle: Hayden Crozier (groin) – test, Max Duffy (hamstring) – test, Craig Moller (quad) – test, Stephen Hill (quad) – 1 week, Matthew Pavlich (Achilles) – 1 week, Lachie Neale (ankle) – 2-3 weeks, Michael Walters (ankle) – 3 weeks, Anthony Morabito (knee) – 3-4 weeks, Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) – 5 weeks, Sam Menegola (knee) – 12 weeks, Jonathon Griffin (knee) – season, Kepler Bradley (knee) –season
Players to watch
Melbourne: Aaron Davey
Melbourne and football fans were treated to some vintage Davey last weekend. His three goals against the Tigers were a personal high since round seven 2008. Davey had been the sub in several games this year, but once freed of the green vest, he showed his worth.
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe
Fyfe provides Fremantle with a great deal of x-factor – he can ignite game in minutes. Melbourne will need to make sure he doesn’t get enough space and free to create havoc.
Match-ups to watch
Chris Dawes v Luke McPharlin
The delivery that Dawes was given against the Tigers gave him the opportunity to take more marks and crash more packs. McPharlin will be hoping that his teammates can block this run into the forward line so that he is not left one on one with Dawes.
Mark Jamar v Zac Clarke
Clark returned for his first game of the season last week, while Jamar returned from injury. Both will be looking to regain some form this week after having spells on the sidelines. Clarke will look to jump over Jamar, while the Demon will be keen for more contact to use his size to his advantage.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (178)
Fremantle: Michael Barlow (200)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (51)
Fremantle: Luke McPharlin (58)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (34)
Fremantle: David Mundy (50)
Most goals
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (13)
Fremantle: Michael Walters (19)
What Melbourne says …
“They’ve got a few injuries but they’re still going to field a really experienced side, we know that they’re combative and play (Patersons Stadium) particularly well.” – Melbourne coach Mark Neeld
What Fremantle says …
“[Melbourne] are improving every weeks, so we are under no illusion that there are no easy games at all in the AFL. It’s going to be a hard, fierce contest. – Fremantle midfielder Danyle Pearce on fremantlefc.com.au
Key Melbourne question
Can the Demons reproduce the effort they had against the Tigers?
Many teams have won games of football by having less talent than their opposition; very few win with less effort. Melbourne showed a greater level of commitment and intensity in last week’s match with the scoreboard a reflection. Traveling to the west is always tricky, but it will be near impossible if the Demons don’t come with same level of effort that they produced last week.
Key Fremantle question
Has a hard slog against Sydney sapped Fremantle’s energy?
Fremantle faced Sydney last weekend, with the tough contest resulting in a draw. There is a chance that the Dockers may feel the effects of this in Sunday’s match against the Demons.
Summary
Effort above all else is paramount in this game. Melbourne must bring a level of effort to this game that is enough to ride out this defensive pressure. Fremantle has said many times this week that they will not be taking anything lightly so expect this pressure to be as high as ever.
