Round 20 match preview: Carlton v Melbourne

Match details
Saturday 6 August, MCG, 2.10 pm (local time)

Teams
Melbourne
B: James Strauss, James Frawley, Clint Bartram
HB: Colin Garland, Jared Rivers, Joel Macdonald
C: Jack Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Aaron Davey
HF: Lynden Dunn, Jack Watts, Tom Scully
F: Brad Green, Ricky Petterd, Jeremy Howe
FOLL: Max Gawn, Brent Moloney, Nathan Jones
I/C: Jordan Gysberts, Matthew Bate, Stef Martin, Luke Tapscott
EMG: Colin Sylvia, Tom McDonald, Daniel Nicholson
IN: Aaron Davey, Joel Macdonald, Clint Bartram, Tom Scully, Max Gawn
OUT: Mark Jamar (foot), Colin Sylvia, Liam Jurrah, Addam Maric, Daniel Nicholson

Carlton
B: Nick Duigan, Lachie Henderson, Jeremy Laidler
HB: Aaron Joseph, Bret Thornton, Zach Tuohy
C: Heath Scotland, Chris Judd, Chris Yarran
HF: Jeffrey Garlett, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson
F: Eddie Betts, Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Walker
F: Rob Warnock, Marc Murphy, Mitch Robinson
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Brock McLean, Marcus Davies, David Ellard
EMG: Ryan Houlihan, Kane Lucas, Setanta O’hAilpin
IN: Aaron Joseph
OUT: Ryan Houlihan

Media coverage
Television: Channel 10
Radio: 3AW 1200-1800, Triple M 1200-1800 (Melbourne), Triple M 1200-1730 (Adelaide), FIVEaa 1200-1730 (relay via 3AW), 6PR 1200-1500, CROC 1200-1800

Form
Melbourne:  D, L, W, W, Bye, L, W, L, L, L, W, L, W, W, L, Bye, W, L, L
Carlton: W, W, L, D, W, W, W, Bye, L, W, W, W, W, L, W, L, L, W, W  

Ladder position
Melbourne: 11th
Carlton: 4th

Head-to-head
Played: 203
Melbourne: 88 wins
Carlton: 113 wins
Drawn: 2

At this ground
Played: 94
Melbourne: 48 wins
Carlton: 46 wins
Drawn: 0

Last time they met
Round 10, 2011: Carlton 13.15.93 d Melbourne 6.10.46, MCG

How’s stat?
Where scores by quarter are concerned, Melbourne’s fourth quarter score of 11.7.73 against Carlton at Waverley in round four 1991 is Melbourne’s highest final quarter score. 

Recent streak
Carlton has won the past four matches by an average of 44 points.

Injury list
Melbourne: Rohan Bail (knee) - 1 week, Michael Evans (back) -
season, Jack Grimes (foot) - season, Michael Newton (foot) - 2 weeks, Tom Scully (knee) - test, Jake Spencer (knee) - season

Carlton: Dennis Armfield (ankle) - test, Andrew Carrazzo (calf) - test, Andrew Collins (shoulder) - season, Shaun Hampson (knee) - 1 week, Michael Jamison (knee) - 2 weeks, Aaron Joseph (hamstring) test, Andrew McInnes (shoulder) - season, Luke Mitchell (shoulder) - season, Jarrad Waite (hip) - test

Summary
The past week has been one to forget for Melbourne Football Club. Enduring the second greatest loss in VFL/AFL history to Geelong at Skilled Stadium resulted in serious ramifications - the departure of coach Dean Bailey being at the top of the tree. It was a sad way for Bailey to end his time at the club - a man of genuine integrity, who made in-roads and gave his all for the red and blue. Melbourne great Todd Viney has now stepped up to take over as coach for the rest of the 2011. Viney’s football background is outstanding and he will make an impact. But the club will look to appoint a new coach for 2012 and beyond at the end of the season. When Melbourne’s season ends remains an intriguing question, as it remains in the finals hunt - a remarkable situation, given the events of the past week. Melbourne will be hell-bent on giving its all this week against Carlton, a top-four team and one not without challenging for the 2011 flag. It’s a massive challenge for the Demons, but what an opportunity under the circumstances.

Players to watch
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie
The hard-at-it midfielder was Melbourne’s best player last round, giving his all in a miserable team performance. He had 25 disposals, including 16 contested possessions and 10 clearances. He was also the only Demon to notch up 20 or more touches.

Carlton: Chris Judd
The superstar has had another remarkable season and is a genuine contender to win his third Brownlow Medal. Judd has been instrumental in Carlton’s climb up the ladder this season. He is truly one of the all-time greats.   

Match-up to watch
Jordie McKenzie v Chris Judd
McKenzie could be given one of the toughest gigs going around - running with Judd. Although it will be a massive test for the midfielder, expect McKenzie be up for the challenge. He is disciplined, hard-working and a ‘one-percenter’ machine, particularly with his tackling and pressure.  

Most disposals in 2011
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (390)
Carlton: Marc Murphy (519)

Most marks in 2011
Melbourne: Jack Watts (96)
Carlton: Bryce Gibbs (131)

Most tackles in 2011
Melbourne: Colin Sylvia (92)
Carlton: Chris Judd (120)

Most goals in 2011
Melbourne: Liam Jurrah (34)
Carlton: Andrew Walker (46)

Foot in both camps
Les Abbott, Jimmy Aitken, Jack Bacquie, Ron Barassi, Albert Bickford, Jack Bristow, Bruce Campbell, Vin Catoggio, Sean Charles, Kevin Clark, John Comben, Brent Crosswell, Harry Davie, Fred Elliott, Alec Farrow, Jack Gardiner, Vin Gardiner, Vic Gordon, Albert Gourlay, Jack Hammond, Bren Heaver, Fred Hewitt, Bill Hore, Paul Hurst, Chris Johnson, Ken Jungwirth, Andy Kennedy, Graham Kerr, Dan Lanigan, George McCart, Fen McDonald, Frank McGrath, Ken McKaige, Brock McLean, Peter McLean, Artie McSpeerin, Paddy Mills, Bert Parke, Paul Payne, Phil Pinnell, Harry Rigby, Peter Rohde, Peter Smith, Earl Spalding, Charlie Taylor, Tony Thiessen, Greg Wells, Frank Williams, Alf Williamson, Jack Young, Michael Young.

What Todd Viney says …
"Our intent will be on show this week. It certainly wasn't there last week. We spoke to the players and one of our major focuses will be on our defensive intent. We won't win every contested ball going but when the opposition do, we'll be trying to get the ball back as quick as we can. And that will be done with real force."

Key Melbourne question
How will Melbourne respond from its 186-point shocker under Todd Viney for the first time?