Melbourne have pulled off a sensational last minute win over the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
West Coast Eagles 14.12.96
Melbourne Demons 15.9.99
The finals will be shaped in Perth tonight, as the West Coast Eagles face the Melbourne Demons at Subiaco. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:40pm AEST (5.40pm AWST).
It’s been a long time since the Demons had a win against this team – almost eight years in fact.
But Melbourne seem altogether a different proposition in 2017 – demonstrated no better than by their thumping win over the reigning premiers last week – and so most betting markets have framed this game as being essentially too close to call.
With both teams sitting on seven wins and five losses, just outside the top four, it certainly looks an even contest on paper, although West Coast have home ground advantage.
There’s a perception that things seem to be falling into place for the Dees. While they haven’t been totally consistent, they seem to have hit a pretty strong run of form over the past five rounds, winning four of those games.
And tonight they welcome back influential ruckman Max Gawn, who has missed most of the season. How he works in tandem with Cam Pedersen, who has filled in ably, will be one of the points of interest in this game.
From West Coast’s perspective every game is taking on extra significance in a year where not much separates the top of the ladder from the bottom. Their struggles to win on the road make it essential that they consistently beat teams near their level at home.
Last week against the red-hot Cats they did exactly that, although it got closer than they would have liked.
The Eagles boast a powerful midfield group, including Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis, Elliot Yeo and the rapidly improving Dom Sheed, and they seem to be in form right now.
At selection, Mark LeCras and Jackson Nelson miss through injury for the home side, while Josh J Kennedy is still not ready to resume his position at full forward. Josh Hill and Malcolm Karpany come in.
Two significant outs for Melbourne, with Nathan Jones and Jack Watts missing through injury. Billy Stretch comes in, and of course the Demons regain Max Gawn.
Prediction
Both these sides seem to be hovering around the bottom of the eight, but arguably Melbourne’s best footy this year has been more impressive than the Eagles’.
Neither side has been all that consistent, but at home West Coast have generally got the results they wanted. An eight-point loss to the Giants is their only slip at Subiaco.
With the Demons missing Jones and Watts, and given their history of sometimes struggling to back up from a good result, the Eagles look more likely tonight.
West Coast by 18 points.
Tony Tea
Guest
"Very sloppy from Viney. Leapt into the air, not really near the ball, and collected the Eagles’ skipper with his hip to the head." Come on. Viney leapt into the air because he was clearly after the ball. Hurn's head was collateral damage. (Which he deserved after crashing into Viney in the 3rd.)
Mattician6x6
Guest
Have never said we were a contender just am of belief not much is separating 2nd-10th at the moment. Amongst all that diatribe anon you forgot to mention WCE still are only 1win off 4th.
Swanny
Guest
Can the dees win the flag this year ?? If they can beat Sydney next week , I'd give them a chance .
anon
Roar Pro
One of those close losses was against the Gold Coast. You should be beating Gold Coast by at least 5 goals if you're a serious contender. Losing at home to Melbourne is a bad loss no matter how close the game. You need to beat Melbourne at home to call yourself a serious contender. Lost a close one to an overrated Richmond team. The rain came and West Coast simply stopped. Got ran over by a flaky Richmond team. Showed a real lack of resolve to throw a game away because of rain. Lost to an undermanned GWS that has only ever beaten a top 8 side interstate twice in its history. Can't call yourself a serious contender if you can't beat a poor travelling GWS team on your home ground. West Coast used to be untouchable at home. Not any more. Just not that good. Old and slow.
Hels
Guest
The last time I cried at a Melbourne match was in the 1958 loss in the Grand Final. Tonight it was from relief and joy. Go Dees!!
Mattician6x6
Guest
Bill-Will see how it pans out, close losses can ruin a season thats for sure but of all the contenders besides gws I reckon everyone is shaky with no huge standouts.
Bill larkin
Guest
Maybe. You won't make the eight now though. Too many other in form teams contending.
Mattician6x6
Guest
I always find it interesting that of wce 6 losses 4 have been by 2 goals or less and yet we are apparently in woeful form, a tad baffling..expected though baffling none the less.
Mattician6x6
Guest
I'd say both teams faced contentious decisions
TomC
Roar Guru
I have to say I thought the Eagles had the better of the umpiring.
TomC
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Bill larkin
Guest
The pathetic umpiring.
Bruce
Guest
best round of footy I can remember
Mattician6x6
Guest
No shame in that loss, viney was extraordinary, my boys will rue our close losses late in season.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
What an incredible round! I tipped the Bombers, North and Dees this week. Got very close to getting all 3 but only got 1 :(
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Wonderful performance by the Demons - they looked shot with 5 minutes to go - but didn't give up. Great to see them have some success. Could end up being the Doggies of 2017.
Mattician6x6
Guest
For what bill?
Bill larkin
Guest
Justice
TomC
Roar Guru
Wow, what a great win for Melbourne. And how disappointing for West Coast, who appeared to be just about home at several points in that last quarter.
Bruce
Guest
He watched the dogs hang on by a point