COACH Mark Neeld has left the door ajar for a late change for Saturday night’s clash against Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium.
Speaking at the Darwin ground on Friday, Neeld said the Demons had flown up their three emergencies - Matthew Bate, James Sellar and Jordan Gysberts - as precautions.
“We’ve still got that flexibility to change the side, because there are a few boys at this time of the year who can be a little bit sore,” he said.
Melbourne has played at TIO Stadium twice, defeating Port Adelaide by one point in 2010 and by 21 points last year. Neeld said he hoped the Demons could take advantage of the venue, which he hoped would build in the future.
“From a footy coach point of view, if we can turn Darwin and the Northern Territory into a home ground advantage for us - that’s part of our long term plan,” he said.
“If we can get up here and win the four points and put a bit of a footprint in it - that’d be great.”
Although the Demons have defeated the Power twice in the Territory, Neeld said they were not taking Port Adelaide lightly.
“We’re big on growing the game and at the same time being able to play the way we want to play and take home the four points,” he said.
“We feel we can match with Port Adelaide with the excitement … but at the same time we’re pretty wary of the way they play and being able to stop them when they get a run on.”
Neeld predicted the game against the Power to be free flowing early on, with a tougher encounter in the second half.
“Early there is a fair bit of free flowing work from both teams … but then history also says that after half time, with the humidity, the ball spends a little bit more time on the ground than what we’re used to,” he said.
“But then the heat will play a bit of a factor for the boys.
“We’re thinking that there will be a difference between the first half and the second half of the game.”
Neeld said he was particularly impressed with the venue.
“The last time I was here [at TIO Stadium] was in 1991, so it was a while back and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
“But this is - in every way, shape and form - an AFL venue, so it’s great.”
Speaking at the Darwin ground on Friday, Neeld said the Demons had flown up their three emergencies - Matthew Bate, James Sellar and Jordan Gysberts - as precautions.
“We’ve still got that flexibility to change the side, because there are a few boys at this time of the year who can be a little bit sore,” he said.
Melbourne has played at TIO Stadium twice, defeating Port Adelaide by one point in 2010 and by 21 points last year. Neeld said he hoped the Demons could take advantage of the venue, which he hoped would build in the future.
“From a footy coach point of view, if we can turn Darwin and the Northern Territory into a home ground advantage for us - that’s part of our long term plan,” he said.
“If we can get up here and win the four points and put a bit of a footprint in it - that’d be great.”
Although the Demons have defeated the Power twice in the Territory, Neeld said they were not taking Port Adelaide lightly.
“We’re big on growing the game and at the same time being able to play the way we want to play and take home the four points,” he said.
“We feel we can match with Port Adelaide with the excitement … but at the same time we’re pretty wary of the way they play and being able to stop them when they get a run on.”
Neeld predicted the game against the Power to be free flowing early on, with a tougher encounter in the second half.
“Early there is a fair bit of free flowing work from both teams … but then history also says that after half time, with the humidity, the ball spends a little bit more time on the ground than what we’re used to,” he said.
“But then the heat will play a bit of a factor for the boys.
“We’re thinking that there will be a difference between the first half and the second half of the game.”
Neeld said he was particularly impressed with the venue.
“The last time I was here [at TIO Stadium] was in 1991, so it was a while back and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
“But this is - in every way, shape and form - an AFL venue, so it’s great.”
