As with so many of the coming games in the final rounds of the 2013 AFL season, Melbourne and Fremantle’s match will have significant impact on the make-up of who plays where in the finals. Join us for live scores and updates from 1.10pm AEST.
Dockers fans wouldn’t have dared dream of a top two finish at the start of the year, but their team is on the cusp of completing what would be the most successful home and away season in their history, and it won’t end there.
Fremantle have been one of the most consistent teams all season and are worthy of the prize.
A win last week against GWS, a record margin for the club, has them in the perfect position to grasp two home finals, a double chance and the tantalising prospect of the club’s first premiership decider.
Another percentage boosting win could be critical to those aspirations.
With all that at stake, you would expect the Dockers to bring their A-game.
Fremantle are hungry and playing a brand of football that has stood up even though the club has been hit by injuries for most of the season.
Those key players are back, or are coming back, at the right time.
Melbourne have improved under Neil Craig, but will face a tough task to even stay close to the Dockers should they play to their full potential.
The Demons are playing at home at the MCG and will surely try to get a fast start and put pressure on the Dockers.
No one does pressure better than Freo though, and should the visitors get control of the game at any point, it will be hard for Melbourne to wrest it back.
There are other distractions, as ever, for the Demons players, although they can take solace in that the scrutiny on the club is perhaps not to the level it might be if not for the scandal at Essendon.
They are approaching the end of a bleak season, and could possibly be forgiven for lacking the enthusiasm to see out the year.
Enthusiasm for the contest is what they will have to produce if they are going to compete on any level with Fremantle.
The election of a new club president in Glen Bartlett is a positive step for the Demons, however, and they will hope the changes they have made, and will have to make, will bring stability and continuity to their organisation.
It may not inspire a win for Melbourne, but if the players produce a competitive effort it will be seen as a success by its stakeholders and fans.
Stephen Hill comes back for the Dockers in place of Cameron Sutcliffe (omitted), while for Melbourne Jeremy Howe and Sam Blease replace teammates Mitchell Clisby (suspension) and Daniel Nicholson (omitted).
graeme
Guest
When the Bulldogs and GWS look back on their seasons they will hang their heads in shame and wonder how they could have lost to the worst team to ever play in the AFL! The only thing worse is that I have been devoted fan for more than 50 years. What has happened since 2006 has been nothing short of disgraceful. How can a collection of first round draft picks be so bad? No wonder Roos isn't interested.
bryan
Guest
Poor old Melbourne!--------------Their supporters don't even bother to turn up,& it seems like their players are only half there! They have to do something different,as what they are doing obviously isn't working. I wonder if they should make Michael Voss an offer,
chrismason
Roar Guru
Fremantle play Port at home next Saturday night while Melbourne take on the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. Bye for now!
chrismason
Roar Guru
Twelve individual goal kickers for the Dockers will please Ross Lyon, with Pavlich and Ballantyne booting four each. Concerns however with Aaron Sandilands subbed out of the game early with what looked like a bad cut above his left eye and Ballantyne going down right at the end with what looks like a shoulder injury. Dockers fans will be hoping hose injuries aren't serious as their team approaches the business end of a season in which they will play a big part.
chrismason
Roar Guru
That's a fitting end to the game with Danyl Pearce snapping a goal right on the siren for the Dockers to run out 95 point winners against Melbourne at the MCG. The Dockers kicked six goals to one behind in that final quarter to get the job done against a side that simply is not anywhere near their level. The percentage boosting win will be important in the race with Sydney to finish in third spot on the ladder. All of the Dockers quality players had good ones today, with Walters, Mundy, Pavlich, Barlow, Pearce and Crowley all playing well for the visitors. Jack Viney was the shining light for the home side who clearly can't wait for their horror season to end.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Ballyntine has come off
chrismason
Roar Guru
Looks like Ballantyne may have just picked up a shoulder injury
chrismason
Roar Guru
Sting well and truly out of this one with the ball going back and forth between the teams 50 metre arcs
chrismason
Roar Guru
Dockers switch the play to the member's wing and Walters marks
chrismason
Roar Guru
Demons work it out of defence slowly to the wing, Sylvagni sees it over the boundary
chrismason
Roar Guru
They move the ball forward but butcher it in the 50 and Fyfe ends up kicking a point
chrismason
Roar Guru
Free kick to Dunn in the centre square, he kicks into the forward 50 but Sylvagni mops up for the Dockers
chrismason
Roar Guru
Pavlich to 4 goals and Clarke is having a great day in Sandilands absence, 19 disposals and a goal
chrismason
Roar Guru
Ball moved quickly by Clarke, it comes to Pavlich who has a ping from 60 and it goes right through the middle! Great stuff!
chrismason
Roar Guru
Great mark by Clarke, coming in from the side of the pack
chrismason
Roar Guru
Pavlich lines up outside 50 in front and boots his 3rd for the day. Dockers really piling on the goals now and boosting that all too crucial percentage
chrismason
Roar Guru
Crowd 13,768 at the MCG today. About sums it up for Melbourne this year
chrismason
Roar Guru
Mayne kicks truly for his second and the Dockers are up by 76
chrismason
Roar Guru
Barlow marks inside 50, centres to Chris Mayne 35 out on a slight angle.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Melbourne move it inside 50 but kick it straight to the opposition