Roar Guru
The Melbourne Demons‘ stocks are rising, but they will be put to the test in a big way when they host a Collingwood Magpies outfit looking to secure a top four spot. Join The Roar for live scores from 3:20pm (AEST).
The positive impact of placing Paul Roos at the helm of a once wayward Demons outfit is starting to be truly felt.
Melbourne have put forward some strong performances in recent weeks, and despite not all securing premiership points, they have inspired belief in their fans, and more importantly, themselves.
The Dees welcome Chris Dawes back into their forward line for this clash – the former Pie will be fired up against his old side, and could provide the spark Melbourne require for an upset.
Collingwood have been tracking along nicely in 2014 and this match offers them the chance to move into fourth on the ladder.
Although they lose the class of Steele Sidebottom (who will watch from the sidelines for the next few weeks following a rough bump last round), Collingwood welcome back Brownlow medalist, Dane Swan – a player who revels in big games. Swan racked up 39 touches in the corresponding fixture last year and a monster 42 disposals in 2012.
The Magpie army will be out in force for this Queens Birthday clash, and unless the Demons have a good plan for stopping Swan, he’ll surely give them lots to cheer about today.
In Round 11 last season, the Magpies thumped the Demons 122 to 39. In fact, we have to look back to 2010 to find the last time the Demons earned some points against the Pies – but on that occasion it was still only a draw.
The big crowd and a couple of fired up sides will make for a high intensity and entertaining clash on the ‘G today. We can expect the Demons to push the Magpies, but a victory looks like too much of a task.
Collingwood by 24.
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