Two of the AFL’s most defensively-minded teams go head to head today when the Melbourne Demons host the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1.10pm AEST.
Here’s Melbourne’s last four scores against Fremantle: 5.10.40 (Round 23, 2012), 6.4.40 (Round 9, 2013), 5.8.38 (Round 21, 2013) and 4.10.34 (Round 16, 2014).
It doesn’t make for pretty reading. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite of pretty reading.
Demons fans have gotten used to the struggle over the last few years no doubt, but games against the Dockers have no doubt been especially draining.
At the moment, Fremantle are flying. They’re on top of the ladder, and they’re the only team in the competition left undefeated four rounds into the year. That’s pretty impressive when you consider their first month fixture: Port Adelaide, Geelong, West Coast and Sydney.
That’s three of last year’s top six and a local derby, not an easy stretch by any measure.
Melbourne, well, they’re not flying, but they’re experiencing some good positive feeling. They’ve got two wins from their first four, the most recent a 31-point upset over Richmond last Friday night. They’re in good spirits, and deservedly so.
Still, it’s hard to see the Demons getting up this week. While they’ll hopefully deliver a more competitive effort than they have in the last few meetings between these two sides, the gaps in experience, skills and talent between these two teams are still fairly wide.
The Demons have recalled former captain Jack Grimes for his first game of the year after losing Neville Jetta to a concussion, they’ve also lost Dean Kent to a hamstring.
Fremantle will regain Hayden Ballantyne as he returns from a suspension for striking Harry Taylor.
Prediction
It’s by no means impossible for the Dees to get a win, and they have surprised us with a few upsets in recent times.
That said, Fremantle look switched on all over the ground at the moment and it’s very hard to see them dropping what should be an easy win.
Fremantle by 42 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1.10pm AEST.
Josh
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Josh
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Not a banner day for Jack Watts in his 100th AFL game - just seven touches and no scoreboard impact for the game.
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Josh
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FULL TIME MELBOURNE 6.14.50 FREMANTLE 18.10.118 No frills win for the Dockers.
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BEHIND MELBOURNE With less than a minute on the clock, Jordie McKenzie kicks a behind. Sums up the day for the Dees. MELBOURNE 6.14.50 FREMANTLE 18.10.118
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GOAL FREMANTLE Aaron Sandilands adds to the flurry of late goals for the Dockers. MELBOURNE 6.13.49 FREMANTLE 18.10.118
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Dees have really rolled over late and the Dockers are now turning this into a percentage builder.
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GOAL FREMANTLE David Mundy kicks a second goal, another late one for the Dockers. MELBOURNE 6.13.49 FREMANTLE 17.10.112
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GOAL FREMANTLE Chris Mayne kicks his fourth, good day for him. Five and a half minutes left on the clock. MELBOURNE 6.13.49 FREMANTLE 16.10.106
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GOAL FREMANTLE Nathan Fyfe slots a late goal. MELBOURNE 6.13.49 FREMANTLE 15.10.100
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GOAL FREMANTLE Mayne causes a nice turnover down back and the Dockers dash very quickly up the middle. Lachie Neale hands it over to Matt Taberner who kicks his second goal. MELBOURNE 6.12.48 FREMANTLE 14.10.94
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Nick Suban kicks one across the face of goal, misses the lot.
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BEHIND FREMANTLE Hayden Ballantyne kicks a behind, just 0.1 for the day in his return match. MELBOURNE 6.12.48 FREMANTLE 13.9.87
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GOAL FREMANTLE Nick Suban kicks a goal for the Dockers, his second. They lead by 39. MELBOURNE 6.11.47 FREMANTLE 13.8.86
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GOAL FREMANTLE Lachie Neale makes Melbourne pay for their inaccuracy, slots a goal up the other end. MELBOURNE 6.11.47 FREMANTLE 12.8.80
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BEHIND MELBOURNE Jeremy Howe kicks a behind, he's got 0.3 for the day. MELBOURNE 6.11.47 FREMANTLE 11.8.74
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BEHIND MELBOURNE Aaron vandenBerg takes a ping on goal and misses. Dees really inaccurate since half time. MELBOURNE 6.10.46 FREMANTLE 11.8.74
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BEHIND MELBOURNE Jeremy Howe has a shot on goal after some nice delivery from Jeff Garlett, he misses. MELBOURNE 6.9.45 FREMANTLE 11.8.74
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Final term about to get underway.