Round 24 match preview: Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Match details
Sunday, 4 September, 2.40 pm (local time)

Teams
Melbourne
B: Sam Blease, James Frawley, Tom McDonald
HB: Colin Garland, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
C: Nathan Jones, Jordie McKenzie, Jamie Bennell
HF: Brad Green, Jack Watts, Jack Trengove
F: Rohan Bail, Stef Martin, Neville Jetta
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Cale Morton, Brent Moloney
I/C: Matthew Bate, Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Jack Fitzpatrick,
EMG: Joel Macdonald, Tom McNamara, Daniel Nicholson
IN: Rohan Bail, Matthew Bate, Jack Fitzpatrick
OUT: Liam Jurrah (wrist), Tom Scully (hip), Tom McNamara
NEW: Jack Fitzpatrick

Port Adelaide
B: Troy Chaplin, Alipate Carlile, Tom Logan
HB: Jacob Surjan, Jackson Trengove, Cameron O’Shea
C: Steven Salopek, Travis Boak, Danyle Pearce
HF: Brett Ebert, John Butcher, Robbie Gray
F: Daniel Motlop, Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff
FOLL: Matthew Lobbe, Dom Cassisi, David Rodan
I/C (from): Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Matt Thomas, Matthew Broadbent, Mitchell Banner, Aaron Young, Thomas Jonas
IN: Dean Brogan, Kane Cornes, Aaron Young
OUT: -
NEW: Aaron Young

TV times
Channel 7

Radio times
3AW 1200-1745, Triple M 1200-1740, FIVEaa 1200-1800, Triple M 1130-1710, ABC891 1400-1730, ABC720 1300-1600, ABC936 1200-1800, ABC105.7 1130-1730

Form
Melbourne:  D, L, W, W, Bye, L, W, L, L, L, W, L, W, W, L, Bye, W, L, L, L, L, L, W
Port Adelaide: L, L, L, W, L, L, L, L, L, W, L, Bye, L, L, L, L, L, Bye, L, L, L, L, L
 
Ladder position
Melbourne: 12th
Port Adelaide: 17th

Head-to-head
Played: 23
Melbourne: 11 wins
Port Adelaide: 12 wins
Drawn: 0

At this ground:
Played: 0
Melbourne: 0 wins
Port Adelaide: 0 wins
Drawn: 0
 
Last time they met
Round 17, 2011: Melbourne 17.11 (113) d Port Adelaide 14.8 (92) at TIO Stadium

Memorable match
Round nine, 2010: Melbourne 17.9 (111) d Port Adelaide 16.14 (110) at TIO Stadium
It was the first time the two sides met in Darwin. It was a close fought contest that resulted in a one-point victory to Melbourne. Leading all day, the Demons held a 33-point lead at the final break, before Port Adelaide kicked eight goals in the final quarter to Melbourne’s three, effectively levelling the scores. There was just a minute remaining when a rushed behind to Melbourne gave them the lead and the narrowest of victories.

Injury list
Melbourne:
Lucas Cook (hip) - season, Michael Evans (hip) - season, Jack Grimes (foot) - season, Jordan Gysberts (wrist) - season, Liam Jurrah (wrist) - season, Addam Maric (foot) - test, Ricky Petterd (quad) - season, Jake Spencer (knee) - season, James Strauss (leg) - season, Austin Wonaeamirri (ankle) - season

Port Adelaide
Dean Brogan (calf) - test, Hamish Hartlett (shoulder) - season, Jarrad Irons (shoulder) - season, Ben Jacobs (ankle) - season, Danny Meyer (hip) - season, Andrew Moore (groin/tonsillitis) - season, Marlon Motlop (fractured finger) - season, Ben Newton (hip flexor) - season, Simon Phillips (shoulder) - season, Jasper Pittard (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks, Paul Stewart (shoulder) - season

Summary
After 23 rounds, eight wins, one draw and 12 losses, Melbourne’s season will draw to a close when it plays Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval - the first time an AFL match will be played at the venue. Although finals are no longer a possibility for the Demons in 2011, they can better their eight and a half wins achieved last year, if they defeat Port Adelaide this Sunday. But overall, it’s been a frustrating season for the Demons. They have played some good football along the way - and achieved some impressive wins - but have produced some disappointing performances and some absolute shockers. The loss of Dean Bailey as coach was a tough blow for the club. But Todd Viney, who stepped up to fill the void, has been pragmatic and direct in his appraisal of the team. He achieved his first win as coach last round - a 30-point win against Gold Coast Suns - and post-match hinted he could put his hand up for 2012 and beyond. It will be fascinating to see what unfolds, but first, a win to finish off the season is Melbourne’s immediate priority. 

Players to watch
Melbourne: Stef Martin
The versatile big man has been one of Melbourne’s and the competition’s most improved players in 2011. This round, the ruckman-key forward/defender will play his 50th AFL match. He has played all but one match this season and looms as a leading contender for Melbourne’s Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy. His versatility and athleticism is an asset for the Dees.

Port Adelaide: John Butcher
The young full-forward has played just three AFL matches - all in the past three rounds - and has kicked 11 goals. This included six goals against Western Bulldogs in his second match and four against Essendon last round. The No.8 pick in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft has been excellent so far.

Match-up to watch
Jack Watts v Troy Chaplin/Alipate Carlile
Expect the 2008 No.1 AFL Draft pick to have the experienced Chaplin or Carlile pick him up. Watts has made good progress this season as a key forward. He has also impressed down back when required to play a role. This will be Watts’ 40th AFL match and 22nd for the year.

Most disposals in 2011
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (484)
Port Adelaide: Travis Boak (441)

Most marks in 2011
Melbourne: Jack Watts (121)
Port Adelaide: Troy Chaplin (113)

Most tackles in 2011
Melbourne: Brent Moloney (114)
Port Adelaide: Matt Thomas (123)

Most goals in 2011
Melbourne: Liam Jurrah (40)
Port Adelaide: Robert Gray (31)

Foot in both camps
Matthew Bishop, Brent Heaver, Peter Walsh, Byron Pickett, Dean Bailey, Peter Rohde, Josh Mahoney

What Todd Viney says …
“We’re looking forward to going to back-to-back wins. It’s a great challenge for us. The year hasn’t been what we wanted it to be. We won last week, so we’re looking at this as an opportunity to go over to Adelaide and play on the Adelaide Oval, which will be fantastic, for the first time an AFL premiership game has been played there. It’s a chance to be part of history and have a win. We’re looking forward to trying to finish off the year strong and get two wins in a row.”

Key Melbourne question
Can Melbourne finish the season with nine and a half wins - one better than 2010?