Match
Round seven: Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns
Details
Sunday, May 12, 4.40pm (local time), MCG
Broadcast guide
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcast-guide
Form
Melbourne: L L L W L L
Gold Coast: W L L L W L
Ladder position
Melbourne: 17th
Gold Coast: 13th
Milestones
Melbourne: -
Gold Coast: -
Coaching records
Mark Neeld: 28 matches, 5 wins, 0 draws, 23 losses
Guy McKenna: 50 matches, 8 wins, 0 draws, 42 losses
Injury lists
Melbourne: Mitch Clark (foot) – 6-8 weeks, Jack Grimes (shoulder) – 6-8 weeks, Mark Jamar (groin) – 1-2 weeks, Jack Watts (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks, Jack Trengove – calf (2-3 weeks), Nathan Stark (groin) – 2 week
Gold Coast: Harley Bennell (hamstring) – test, Nathan Bock (leg) – indefinite, Liam Patrick (hamstring strain) – test, Seb Tape (knee) – 1-2 weeks, Matthew Warnock (arm) – indefinite, Maverick Weller (shoulder) – 2 weeks, Joel Wilkinson (ankle) – 3-5 weeks
Players to watch
Melbourne: Matt Jones
Since making his debut in round one, Jones has been a continuous contributor for the Dees. His 27 touches last week against the Blues was a career high and came with his first AFL goal. The winger spreads extremely well to find space and runs hard to chase when the ball is turned over.
Gold Coast: David Swallow
The super-fit Swallow is capable of running out games stronger then most. His ability to win the ball at stoppages is boosted by his exciting and creative disposal once in possession. Swallow added another weapon to his arsenal last week, showing he is able to shut down small forwards when he negated Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne.
Match-ups to watch
Chris Dawes v Tom Murphy
With Mitch Clark out, Dawes will be a focal point of the Melbourne forward line. He showed while at Collingwood he was able to crash packs and use his size to his advantage. He will be looking to do so against the young Gold Coast team. Murphy has taken the number one forward for much of this year and should start on Dawes.
Lynden Dunn v Gary Ablett
Dunn kept two-time Brownlow medalist Chris Judd to just 13 disposals last week against the Blues, while gathering 13 of his own. Ablett, also a Brownlow medalist, has shone this season with an average of 30 disposals. Dunn will be a chance to go to Ablett after doing such a good job on Judd.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (136)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (180)
Most marks
Melbourne: James Frawley (35)
Gold Coast: Rory Thompson (30)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (30)
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett (32)
Most goals
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (9)
Gold Coast: Charlie Dixon (11)
What Melbourne says …
“What we want to see and what we’ll be striving to see is the continued effort. – Melbourne coach Mark Neeld
What Gold Coast says …
“They’ve got some big, strong bodied boys and I would assume that Chris Dawes comes straight back – so there’s not really a chance for us to take them too lightly.” – Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna on goldcoastfc.com.au
How will Melbourne’s forward line operate with Chris Dawes?
With Dawes in, Melbourne has a key lead-up option to team with giant Max Gawn and high-flyer Jeremy Howe. These three have yet to play a game together, given the injuries to Dawes and Gawn. They will line up together this weekend, and how they go about working together will be interesting to watch.
Key Gold Coast question
Who will step up to Ablett’s level?
Gary Ablett is one of a handful of elite players in the AFL. Any team with two or more players of his calibre will be a force. The likes of Dion Prestia, Jarrod Harbrow or David Swallow will also have to be watched carefully otherwise it will be a tough day for the Demons.
Summary
These are two of the youngest teams in the competition, with just a few mature aged and 100-plus game players between them. Effort will not be the determining factor in this match, nor will intent, as both teams have shown they are desperate to progress their development. The ability to run out the game will go a long way to victory here. Both teams can play exciting football, but fadeouts have cost them. Whoever plays the most consistent football over the four quarters should get the four points.
