Outside of a one point loss to the hands of the Crows at the Adelaide Oval, the Melbourne Demons could not have started this season much better than what they have.
It took some convincing, but the football public has seemingly come to terms with the fact that Melbourne, unusually, just aren't that bad of a side anymore. So much so, in fact, that they are currently in the conversation for flag favourites. That's right, the Melbourne Demons, amongst the flag favourites!
Alright, so I've let them have their moment. Enough of that.
Remember 2017? Collingwood started the season 2-6 and Buckley's future was all-but-gone. Another bad season, sliding down the ladder, history repeating. Although the Pies' season slowly but surely gained some momentum in the latter half of the year, it was Melbourne that simply needed to beat the 13th-placed Magpies to gain their first finals berth since 2006. The Pies went on to win by 16 points and ex-Demon Lynden Dunn belted his chest towards the Magpies faithful on the other side of the fence. Melbourne had spectacularly missed the finals.
And how is that relevant? Melbourne were on the up and full of enthusiasm, but their hopes and dreams were slapped squarely in the face by the hand that was reality. Collingwood had pulled a high-class performance out of their absolute backside.
So whilst we might not have much hope next weekend, these are the types of games we win.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 12, 2020: Melbourne 16.4 (100) def. Collingwood 6.8 (44) at the Gabba in front of a crowd of 5,338.
KEY MATCH UPS:
Roughead will again have his hands full, likely facing off against the meat-eating-machine, Tom McDonald.
Moore should take Weideman or the resting ruck.
Bayley Fritsch has been Melbourne's best forward and will be a very tough match-up. I suspect this will be another case of Quaynor playing on him, rebounding well, conceding 3+ goals, all whilst Maynard would be better suited.
I would personally play Maynard on Fritsch, Quaynor on Pickett and Noble on Spargo.
CHANGES:
Assuming Grundy doesn't get up...
IN: Mccreery, Mayne, Macrae as sub
OUT: Madgen, Sier (inj), C Brown
It took some convincing, but the football public has seemingly come to terms with the fact that Melbourne, unusually, just aren't that bad of a side anymore. So much so, in fact, that they are currently in the conversation for flag favourites. That's right, the Melbourne Demons, amongst the flag favourites!
Alright, so I've let them have their moment. Enough of that.
Remember 2017? Collingwood started the season 2-6 and Buckley's future was all-but-gone. Another bad season, sliding down the ladder, history repeating. Although the Pies' season slowly but surely gained some momentum in the latter half of the year, it was Melbourne that simply needed to beat the 13th-placed Magpies to gain their first finals berth since 2006. The Pies went on to win by 16 points and ex-Demon Lynden Dunn belted his chest towards the Magpies faithful on the other side of the fence. Melbourne had spectacularly missed the finals.
And how is that relevant? Melbourne were on the up and full of enthusiasm, but their hopes and dreams were slapped squarely in the face by the hand that was reality. Collingwood had pulled a high-class performance out of their absolute backside.
So whilst we might not have much hope next weekend, these are the types of games we win.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 12, 2020: Melbourne 16.4 (100) def. Collingwood 6.8 (44) at the Gabba in front of a crowd of 5,338.
KEY MATCH UPS:
Roughead will again have his hands full, likely facing off against the meat-eating-machine, Tom McDonald.
Moore should take Weideman or the resting ruck.
Bayley Fritsch has been Melbourne's best forward and will be a very tough match-up. I suspect this will be another case of Quaynor playing on him, rebounding well, conceding 3+ goals, all whilst Maynard would be better suited.
I would personally play Maynard on Fritsch, Quaynor on Pickett and Noble on Spargo.
CHANGES:
Assuming Grundy doesn't get up...
IN: Mccreery, Mayne, Macrae as sub
OUT: Madgen, Sier (inj), C Brown
