MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE
B: Daniel Ward,Nathan Carroll, Ricky Petterd
HB: JamesFrawley, Clint Bizzell, Daniel Bell
C: TravisJohnstone, James McDonald, Aaron Davey
HF: Brad Green,Russell Robertson, Cameron Bruce
F: Colin Sylvia,David Neitz, Matthew Bate
FOLL: Jeff White,Simon Godfrey, Nathan Jones
I/C: PaulJohnson, Brock McLean, Paul Wheatley, Nathan Brown
EMG: ChrisJohnson, Ben Holland, Lynden Dunn
In: Sylvia, Bate,Wheatley
Out: Brad Miller(wrist), Holland,Dunn 

ADELAIDE
B: MartinMattner, Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett
HB: AndrewMcLeod, Scott Stevens, Jason Torney
C: MichaelDoughty, Robert Shirley, Nathan van Berlo
HF: SimonGoodwin, Nathan Bock, Chris Knights
F: Scott Welsh,Ian Perrie, Mark Ricciuto
FOLL: Ben Hudson,Scott Thompson, Tyson Edwards
I/C: JonathonGriffin, Graham Johncock, Brent Reilly, Jason Porplyzia
EMG: Kris Massie,Ken McGregor, Luke Jericho
In: Ricciuto
Out: Luke Jericho 

MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, June 2, MCG, 2.10pm (local time)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Television – Network Ten, Radio – afl.com.au, ABC, Triple M,5AA, 6PR, NIRS 

TAB SPORTSBET (VIC)
Melbourne – $2.80, Adelaide – $1.40 

LADDER POSITION
Melbourne – 15th, Adelaide – 3rd 

WIN/LOSS RECORD
Played – 24, Melbourne – 8, Adelaide – 16, Drawn – 0 

AT THIS GROUND
Played – 8, Melbourne – 4, Adelaide – 4

LAST TIME
Round 22, 2006 – Melbourne 14.10(94) lost to Adelaide23.14 (152), AAMI Stadium 

RECENT STREAK
Adelaide has won six of the pastseven encounters between the two teams, with Melbourne’s last win coming in round seven,2005 at the MCG – the most recent time the two teams met at the ‘G. 

MILESTONES
Melbourne – Brock McLean – 50 games. 

INJURIES
Melbourne – Brad Miller (wrist), Matthew Whelan (foot),Brent Moloney (groin), Jared Rivers (back), Isaac Weetra (wrist), Adem Yze (groin),Clint Bartram (knee), Ryan Ferguson (thumb) 

Adelaide – Brett Burton (knee), Richard Douglas (hamstring),John Meesen (knee), James Sellar (groin), Darren Pfeiffer (glandular fever),Kurt Tippett (shoulder), David Mackay (hamstring), Matthew Bode (knee), RhettBiglands (knee), Trent Hentschel (knee)

SELECTION TABLE
The Demons have gone for mobility, bringing in PaulWheatley, Matthew Bate and Colin Sylvia to replace Lynden Dunn, Ben Holland andthe injured Brad Miller. It suggests the Deesare looking to combat the Crows’ much-vaunted run off half-back with moreathletic players in key positions. 

The return of skipper Mark Ricciuto is the big news for theCrows. The 2003 Brownlow medallist has finally overcome back issues and he’sbeen rushed straight into the team as the only change.  It’s likely he’ll play as a forward, where hehad success last season, but how much impact he’ll have after missing most ofthe first half of the season is anyone’s guess.

FORM
Another week, another narrow loss for the Demons. Mostencouragingly, the last-quarter fightback against the Roos was achieved throughlong, direct, free-flowing football. Still, no amount of heartbreaking defeatsmakes up for the absence of a win this season. Melbourne will be desperate to avoid a 10^thsuccessive loss in 2007.

Adelaidehas won its past three games and six of its past eight – good enough for thirdplace on the ladder after nine rounds. The Crows’ most recent victories –against Richmond and Carlton – have come as a result of grittyfinal-term slogs, with Neil Craig’s men prevailing. Little comfort for theDemons, who would love to avoid another nailbiter.

RED HOT
Cameron Bruce racked up a season-high 35 touches against theKangaroos and booted two goals for good measure. The versatile midfielder had18 kicks and 17 handpasses in his most prolific game for the season. 

MATCH-UP TO WATCH
David Neitz v Ben Rutten – If the skipper fires, he giveshis side a noticeable lift. This was evident against the Roos last week whenNeitz slotted three last-quarter goals in the Demons’ late charge. But, Adelaide full-back BenRutten is a more accomplished defender than Michael Firrito. ‘Truck’ is in fineform this season and Neitz will have his hands full getting clear to boot abag. 

HOW'S STAT?
Playing his first match back from a broken foot, BrockMcLean accumulated 22 possessions in a little more than a half of footballagainst the Kangaroos. It’s clear why the young midfielder is considered one ofMelbourne’s keyplayers. 

MEMORABLE MATCH
Round 2, 2001 – Melbourne 12.11(83) d Adelaide11.14 (80), AAMI Stadium. Melbourneled by almost six goals at half time, but the Crows came home with a rush inthe second half to take the lead in the final term. Trailing by three points,and with just seconds remaining, Demons forward David Schwarz contested aboundary throw-in at half-forward and delivered the ball to a running AndrewLeoncelli. ‘Chells’ capped off one of his best games for the club by roostingthe match-winning goal from 50m to send the travelling Melbourne players – andtheir fans – into raptures. 

WHAT THE COACH SAYS
"It is important for our players to continue to focuson Adelaidethis week, and not be too disappointed with the results over the last month. Awin isn’t too far away if we continue with the same sort of overall intensity,and with the form shown against the Kangaroos, Port Adelaide, and the Bulldogs,along with some gradual improvements." – Neale Daniher onmelbournefc.com.au. 

WHAT THE FAN SAYS
"It was great tosee the team hit its straps late against the Roos. Hopefully we can carry that sortof form into the clash against the Crows. With most of the big guns back andBrock’s 50^th to play for, it’s time to break the drought.” – Brad, GlenWaverley. 

The views in this story are those of the author and notnecessarily those of the club.