Match details
Friday, May 27, MCG, 7.40pm (local time)
Teams
Melbourne
EMG: Austin Wonaeamirri, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe
Carlton
B: Jordan Russell, Bret Thornton, Chris Yarran
HB: Nick Duigan, Michael Jamison, Jeremy Laidler
C: Heath Scotland, Brock McLean, Kade Simpson
HF: Chris Judd, Jarrad Waite, Eddie Betts
F: Jeff Garlett, Setanta O'hAilpin, Andrew Walker
FOLL: Shaun Hampson, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Andrew Carrazzo, David Ellard, Mitch Robinson
EMG: Lachie Henderson, Ryan Houlihan, Aaron Joseph
IN: Shaun Hampson
OUT: Robert Warnock (concussion)
Media coverage
Television: Channel 7
Radio: 3AW 1800-2300, Triple M 1800-2300, K-Rock 1800-2300, 1116SEN 1800-2300, ABC774 1905-2300, Triple M 1830-2230, ABC891 1900-2230, FIVEaa 1830-2230 (relay via 3AW), 6PR 1730-2030, ABC720 1730-2100, NIRS 1700-2100, ABC630 1930-2230, ABC936 1930-2230, NIRS 1900-2300, ABC103.9 1905-2300, ABC936 1905-2300, ABC105.7 1900-2230, NIRS 1830-2230, ABC91.7 1930-2230, NIRS 1900-2300, CROC 1800-2400
Form
Melbourne: D, L, W, W, Bye, L, W, L, L
Carlton: W, W, L, D, W, W, W, Bye, L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 10th
Carlton: 5th
Played: 202
Melbourne: 88 wins
St Kilda: 112 wins
Drawn: 2
Played: 93
Melbourne: 48 wins
Carlton: 45 wins
Drawn: 0
Coach v coach
Dean Bailey: 0
Brett Ratten: 3
Last time they met
Round 14, 2010: Carlton 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 9.6 (60) at the MCG
Recent streak
Melbourne has lost its past three against Carlton
Milestones
Melbourne: Joel Macdonald (100 AFL matches)
Injury list
Melbourne: Rohan Bail (knee) - 5 weeks, Jack Fitzpatrick (ankle) - 6-8 weeks, Colin Garland (ankle) - 5-6 weeks, Jack Grimes (foot) - season, Mark Jamar (knee) - 3-5 weeks, Luke Tapscott (hamstring) - 3 weeks, Tom Scully (knee) - test, Jake Spencer (knee) - season, Austin Woneaemirri (knee) - test
Carlton: Blake Bray (shoulder) - indefinite, Paul Bower (thigh) - 1 week, Levi Casboult (knee) - 2 weeks, Andrew Collins (shoulder) - test, Ed Curnow (shoulder) - 1 week, Rob Warnock (concussion) - test, Simon White (knee) - 2-4 weeks
Summary
Melbourne’s up-and-down season continued last round when it went down to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium by 20 points. It was the first time this season the Demons have lost back-to-back matches. The defeat puts the Dees 10th on the ladder with three wins, one draw and four losses. Adding to its frustrations has been the amount of injuries, which have hit the club in recent weeks. A further three players have been forced out of the side this week due to injuries: Luke Tapscott (hamstring), Aaron Davey (knee) and Clint Bartram (hip). And with the likes of Rohan Bail, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes and Mark Jamar sidelined through injury and Jack Trengove and Lynden Dunn still serving one more match, due to suspension, Melbourne’s stability has taken a hit. On the flipside, opportunities have presented for the likes of rookie Michael Evans and Stef Martin has impressed and added a bow to his game with his athletic ruck work. Another rookie, Daniel Nicholson gains his first opportunity this round. But the Demons come up against Carlton, which has impressed this year and is hovering around the top four. It won’t be easy for the Dees, but it represents a great challenge.
Players to watch
Melbourne: Michael Evans
The midfielder impressed significantly on debut last round against St Kilda, collecting 27 disposals. It was a fine effort from Evans, who was elevated for Jake Spencer, who was placed on the long-term injury list. Drafted at No.31 in last December’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, Evans has already shown he can cut the mustard at VFL level and judging by his first AFL match, he looks to have a very promising future.
Carlton: Brock McLean
The former Demon has played just seven matches for the Blues after joining the club last year. He battled knee and ankle problems in 2010 and managed his first match for the season against Geelong last round. McLean is yet to take on Melbourne since playing 94 matches for the red and blue from 2004-09, yet it will be fascinating to see how he fares.
Match-up to watch
Jordie McKenzie v Chris Judd
It will be intriguing to see how the Judd match-up eventuates, considering the brilliant Carlton skipper has been under an injury cloud due to a foot problem. McKenzie appears to be the most likely at this stage - a big task, considering it will be just his second AFL match this season, after one VFL senior match and half a game in the Casey reserves. Youngsters Michael Evans and Daniel Nicholson could also be given opportunities on the superstar.
Most disposals in 2011
Melbourne: Brent Moloney (202)
Carlton: Marc Murphy (229)
Most marks in 2011
Melbourne: James Frawley (48)
Carlton: Bryce Gibbs, Jarrad Waite (56)
Most tackles in 2011
Melbourne: Colin Sylvia (48)
Carlton: Andrew Carrazzo, Chris Judd (48)
Most goals in 2011
Melbourne: Liam Jurrah (21)
Carlton: Jeff Garlett (19)
How’s stat?
Melbourne has lost its past three matches to Carlton by an average of 43.66 points
Memorable match
Round six, 2004: Melbourne 25.10 (160) d Carlton 8.7 (55), MCG
The Demons smashed the Blues by 105 points - Melbourne’s equal 10th greatest winning margin. This win also represents the only occasion on which the side has won by more than 100 points since 1993. Cameron Bruce (seven goals and 25 disposals), Adem Yze (a game-high 31 possessions) and Jeff White (26 touches and 17 hit outs) received three, two and one Brownlow votes respectively for the Demons.
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 Dean Bailey says …
“They've (Carlton) got a number of players in good form. Their small forwards are seen as leading the competition in forward 50 tackles, they're kicking goals, they've got a good spread, their backs are defending particularly well, so it will be a big challenge for us. Regardless of who's in the team or who's out of the team, the 22 that roll out have got to show 100 per cent consistent effort."
What @DemonsHQ is saying …
JamesNanks James Nankivell
MY MAN!!!! RT @DemonsHQ: Dan Nicholson will debut for the Dees this Friday. #afldeesblues
MVZimmari Matthew Zimmari
@DemonsHQ Young guns are out to fight on Friday! Keep your eye on the red and the blue!
Melanie_Whelan Melanie Whelan
Excited to hear Dan Nicholson will debut for Melbourne @DemonsHQ this week. Fmr St Pats footballer who reached #afl via Uni Blues. #afl
Key Melbourne question
Can Melbourne bounce back from two consecutive losses and overcome the fifth-placed Carlton on the big Friday night stage?