Match details
Saturday, May 5, 1.45pm (local time), Simonds Stadium
Round six teams
Melbourne
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Tom McDonald, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes
C: Cale Morton, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie
HF: Nathan Jones, James Sellar, Jeremy Howe
F: Colin Sylvia, Mitch Clark, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove
I/C: Rohan Bail, Luke Tapscott, Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn
EMG: Jamie Bennell, Ricky Petterd, Joel Macdonald
IN: Mitch Clark, James Frawley
OUT: Joel Macdonald (Omitted), Jack Watts (Omitted)
Geelong Cats
B: Matthew Scarlett, Harry Taylor, Josh Hunt
HB: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie
C: James Kelly, Allen Christensen, Joel Corey
HF: Mitch Duncan, James Podsiadly, Steven Motlop
F: Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins, Mitch Brown
Foll: Trent West, Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman
I/C: Joel Selwood, Jesse Stringer, Billie Smedts, Cameron Guthrie
EMG: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, George Horlin-Smith
IN: James Kelly, Mitch Brown
OUT: Mathew Stokes (Ankle), Taylor Hunt (Soreness)
Broadcast guide
Click here:
http://www.afl.com.au/broadcast%20guide/tabid/9451/default.aspx#locd=VIC - Melbourne&round=Round 6
Form
Melbourne: L, L, L, L, L
Geelong Cats: L, W, L, W, W
Ladder position
Melbourne: 16th
Geelong Cats: 8th
Head-to-head
Played: 208
Melbourne: 83
Geelong Cats: 123
Drawn: 2
At this ground
Played: 53
Melbourne: 17
Geelong Cats: 35
Drawn: 1
Last time they met
Round 19, 2011: Geelong Cats 37.11 (233) d Melbourne 7.5 (47), Simonds Stadium
Recent streak
Melbourne has lost its past seven against Geelong Cats
Memorable match
Round 20, 2005: Melbourne 14.16 (100) d Geelong 15.9 (99), Simonds Stadium
One of Melbourne’s most memorable win of the modern era came in this match. The Demons produced an unexpected win at the Cattery - its first at the venue since 1988. Having lost seven in a row and with the opportunity of finals slipping away, Melbourne delivered a win against the odds, full of running and spirit. Russell Robertson triumphed with seven goals, and as the final siren sounded, it was a heart stopping one point win and Melbourne’s first win in almost 20 years. Travis Johnstone was also among the red and blue’s best.
Milestones
Melbourne: Nil
Geelong Cats: Nil
Coaching record
Mark Neeld: 5 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses
Chris Scott: 30 matches, 25 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses
Injury list
Melbourne: Michael Evans (back) - indefinite, James Frawley (calf) - test, Max Gawn (knee) - season, Brad Green (finger) - 1 week, Jordan Gysberts (ankle) - test, Neville Jetta (ankle) - indefinite, Liam Jurrah (wrist) - test, Stef Martin (hip) - test, James Strauss (leg) - test, Josh Tynan (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Geelong Cats: Daniel Menzel (knee) - indefinite, Jordan Murdoch (finger) - indefinite, Dawson Simpson (back) - indefinite, Travis Varcoe (foot) - indefinite, Nathan Vardy (hip) -indefinite
Players to watch
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie
McKenzie has taken on some big jobs in recent weeks, and his past two rounds in particular have been impressive. In round five he was given Bulldog Ryan Griffen to keep in check, and last week he had St Kilda star Brendon Goddard to look after. Both were kept to 19 disposals and 15 touches respectively. It was a fine effort from the midfielder.
Geelong Cats: Tom Hawkins
The key forward booted a career-best six goals against Brisbane Lions last round. It was an outstanding performance from Hawkins, considering the tough, wet conditions the match was played in at the Gabba. Hawkins, who is still only 23 years old, appears to have taken his game to another level again, following on from last year’s game turning and outstanding grand final performance, where he was unlucky not to win the Norm Smith Medal.
Match-up to watch
Clint Bartram v Jimmy Bartel
The Demon leader played his 100th match last round against the Saints, highlighted by an outstanding checkside goal. Bartram will be given a tough assignment against the outstanding Geelong ball winners. Expect the brilliant Bartel to receive some close attention, with Bartram among the leading contenders. James Magner or Jordie McKenzie are also likely to gain key jobs, with either a chance to run with the 2011 Norm Smith Medallist.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (113)
Geelong Cats: Joel Selwood (131)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (28)
Geelong Cats: Tom Hawkins (36)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie (30)
Geelong Cats: Jimmy Bartel (35)
Most goals
Melbourne: Mitch Clark (10)
Geelong Cats: Tom Hawkins (18)
How’s stat?
Melbourne has won three of its past 28 matches at Skilled Stadium. Those three wins came in 2005, 1988 and 1983.
Foot in both camps
Charlie Armstrong, Bret Bailey, Neil Balme, Ivan Baumgartner, Clint Bizzell, Brian Cook, Percy Ellingsen, Brent Grgic, George Haines, Clyde Helmer, Mark Jackson, Peter Johnston, Frank Jorgensen, Nigel Kol, Brent Moloney, Harry Parkin, Eric Peck, Trevor Spencer, Perce Taylor, Ian Toyne, Len Toyne, Jack Watt.
What Mark Neeld says …
“We’re getting to a stage over the last games where the effort of the players has been terrific. So we’re starting to coach in terms of structure and finer points. I think that’s important over the last two weeks - we’re starting to see some things in the game that we’ve been practicing on the track. So we’re getting a little bit better.”
Key Melbourne question
The Demons produced the second worst performance in VFL/AFL history last year against Geelong. How will the Demons respond at the Cattery, considering they have yet to win a match in 2012?
Key Geelong Cats question
The Cats have a massive psychological edge over the Demons entering this round. But Geelong was almost knocked off by Richmond at home in round four. Will it be a case of how far Geelong, or could this be a danger game?
Summary
Melbourne returns to the venue which resulted in serious ramifications for the club - the departure of former coach Dean Bailey. The Demons have a massive task attempting to overcome Geelong at the Cattery, but they will be hellbent on putting in a competitive four quarter effort, akin to their past two outings against the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda respectively. Melbourne has a mountain of hurdles to overcome if it can achieve the upset of the season so far. But the Demons have garnered some confidence against the Saints, while the Cats have not performed at absolute elite status as in their 2011 premiership winning season. Geelong has dropped two of its opening five rounds, and just got over the line against Richmond at Simonds Stadium in round four. The Demons have yet to chalk up a win, two games into a difficult seven match stretch. Regardless of the result, the Demons must give their all for the entire match. There is no doubt there is plenty of intrigue to this match. It’s a great opportunity for the Dees to make a stand.
