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The Melbourne Demons have claimed their biggest scalp of the season, knocking of Hawthorn at the MCG by 29 points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Melbourne Demons 17.8.110
Hawthorn Hawks 11.15.81
The Hawthorn Hawks are going for ten wins in a row when they face the resurgent Melbourne Demons, who will take on the task at the world’s greatest sporting ground, the MCG. Join The Roar from 2:10pm (AEST) for all the action.
Last time these two met, the Hawks toughed out an 18-point victory after a disappointing final quarter fadeout from the Demons – something they’ll be sure to rectify this time around.
Last week the Dees just scraped home against the Suns through a couple of heroic moments from Jack Watts, while the Hawks continued their incredible run at Tasmania, dealing with an impressive Carlton side by 19 points.
Cyril Rioli makes a welcome return for the Hawks, at the expense of first-year player Blake Hardwick.
Melbourne have made three changes, headlined by the exciting debut of last year’s pick nine in the draft, tall forward Sam Weidemann. He comes in along with fellow top-ten pick Clayton Oliver and the hard-nosed Tomas Bugg, replacing Chris Dawes, Josh Wagner and Matt Jones, who have all been omitted.
Hawkthorn currently sit on top of the ladder, yet with no less than four teams within two games’ reach they cannot afford any slip-ups.
The Demons have succeeded in 2016 in distancing themselves from the doldrums they resided in for the better part of a decade, but against the three-time premiers, with finals out of the question, there’s not much left to play for.
Poor kicking let the Demons down last weekend – repeat that against intercept kings Hawthorn and the scoreboard will get ugly. Jack Gunston is flying and due for a bag of goals if Tom McDonald can’t keep him in check. If Melbourne can let perennial ball-winners Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis off the leash they will be punished, so expect a close checking game with plenty of niggle.
Max Gawn is key as well – his activity around the ruck will surely influence the result.
Prediction
The Hawks don’t lose games they’re meant to win.
Hawthorn by 30.
Can Melbourne take their biggest scalp of the season, or will the Hawks solidify top spot, fending off the chasers? Join The Roar from 2:10pm (AEST) for all the action.
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