The Melbourne Demons have a chance to snatch a second win on the run today when they host the Port Adelaide Power in Alice Springs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2.10pm AEST.
The Demons haven’t managed to put two consecutive wins together since Round 14 2011, but after an impressive win over the Bulldogs last week and given the struggles of Port Adelaide in the past few, they’re a red hot chance.
It wasn’t a great month for the Demons – they were forced to weather the storm of consecutive bouts with Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn, and while they held of an absolute embarrassment from the first two, they ran out of gas and gave up a 105-point win to the Hawks.
It’s remarkable in some ways that a team who had lost their past three games by a combined margin of 211 points was able to get past that and be competitive the next week. The Dees mental strength was rewarded as they went home with a 39-point upset win over the Bulldogs.
Port Adelaide on the other hand have really been struggling. Since losing unexpectedly to West Coast by 10 points in Round 6, they’ve gone from bad to worse, losing to Brisbane by 37 in Round 7, and most recently Richmond by 33 in Round 8.
They kicked just five goals last week – a major downfall for a team who scored the second most total points in the league last year.
So the question is, which team’s mental health is going to win out? The Dees will be bouncing with confidence, the Power feeling an absolute lack of it. Can the Dees maintain that confidence? Can Port get it back?
We’ll find out this afternoon at Traeger Park.
Prediction
Melbourne really pushed Port Adelaide in their games last year and this time around they have a mental edge I think. It’s something of an upset, but I’m going to tip Melbourne to get over the line.
Melbourne by 12 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1.40pm Local, 2.10pm AEST.
Josh
Expert
Josh
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Josh
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Josh
Expert
Thumping win for the Power. They kicked 16 of the last 18 goals after looking to be in trouble at quarter time. Great return to form for them and we'll see if they can keep it up next week when they play the Bulldogs at home. Disappointing day for Dees fans after a great start.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 18.7.115
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Hamish Hartlett slots the last goal of the game with just second left on the clock. MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 18.7.115
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Paul Stewart has a set shot but it's a shocker, out on the full.
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Brad Ebert slots a late goal. MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 17.7.109
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BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE Behind from Jay Schulz. MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 16.7.103
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Quick response from the Power, Nathan Krakouer the sub snaps a goal. MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 16.6.102
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GOAL MELBOURNE Dees get a late consolation goal through Jack Fitzpatrick. MELBOURNE 8.6.54 PORT ADELAIDE 15.6.96
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Karl Amon off now, Nathan Krakouer subbed on.
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Angus Monfries slots a goal, the Power lead by 49. MELBOURNE 7.5.47 PORT ADELAIDE 15.6.96
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Matt White kicks his second. MELBOURNE 7.5.47 PORT ADELAIDE 14.6.90
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BEHIND MELBOURNE Behind from Jeff Garlett. MELBOURNE 7.5.47 PORT ADELAIDE 13.6.84
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Port still yet to activate their sub.
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GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Jay Schulz kicks his fourth. MELBOURNE 7.4.46 PORT ADELAIDE 13.6.84
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BEHIND MELBOURNE Cam Pedersen running onto the ball in the goalsquare, isn't able to nail it because of pressure from Alipate Carlile. It goes through for a behind. MELBOURNE 7.4.46 PORT ADELAIDE 12.6.78
Josh
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Crowd of 4,866 at Traeger Park for the game today.
Josh
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Final term underway.