Melbourne
61
Match Complete
Sydney Swans
73
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 25:19 |  | C. Warner | ||
| 24:05 |  | T. Papley | ||
| 20:31 | | E. Gulden | ||
| 16:31 | | L. McDonald | ||
| M. Gawn | | 14:08 | ||
| 9:45 | | L. McDonald | ||
| 3:10 | | I. Heeney | ||
| M. Gawn | | 1:07 | ||
| 8.6 (54) | Third Quarter [+] | 6.11 (47) | ||
| A. Neal-Bullen | | 23:23 | ||
| A. Brayshaw | | 20:13 | ||
| Rushed | | 19:35 | ||
| 16:07 | | Rushed | ||
| B. Fritsch | | 13:13 | ||
| 12:33 | | T. Papley | ||
| J. Jordon | | 8:23 | ||
| B. Brown | | 1:07 | ||
| 7.1 (43) | Second Quarter [+] | 6.9 (45) | ||
| 28:45 | | J. Amartey | ||
| B. Fritsch | | 27:28 | ||
| 24:39 | | T. Papley | ||
| 22:45 | | S. Wicks | ||
| 22:07 | | S. Reid | ||
| 16:15 | | L. McDonald | ||
| 15:01 | | I. Heeney | ||
| 13:04 | | S. Reid | ||
| 8:10 | | L. McDonald | ||
| 5:22 | | S. Reid | ||
| M. Gawn | | 0:54 | ||
| 5.1 (31) | First Quarter [+] | 1.5 (11) | ||
| 28:09 | | S. Reid | ||
| B. Fritsch | | 26:31 | ||
| M. Gawn | | 24:40 | ||
| 19:56 | | Rushed | ||
| L. Jackson | | 17:10 | ||
| 15:52 | | I. Heeney | ||
| L. Jackson | | 14:38 | ||
| 12:11 | | J. McInerney | ||
| 10:47 | | C. Warner | ||
| 5:22 | | L. McDonald | ||
| E. Langdon | | 2:55 | ||
| J. Jordon | | 0:59 | ||
With their 17-match winning streak over, Melbourne welcome back a host of premiership heroes as they prepare to face a buoyant Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Demons’ form hasn’t been perfect throughout their 10-0 start to the MCG, but even so, their 38-point loss to Fremantle at the MCG last week came as a major shock.
With star defender Steven May going down with concussion early, the Dees’ defence failed to cope with the Dockers’ array of attacking options, while their midfield lowered its colours for the first time in nearly 12 months, with Clayton Oliver tagged in the second half and Christian Petracca struggling with illness.
The Dees have brought in the cavalry for this match, with premiership players Ed Langdon, Christian Salem, James Harmes and Tom McDonald among the inclusions. Half-back Salem hasn’t been sighted at AFL level since injuring his knee in the opening minutes of Round 1, with his return to give the Dees some badly needed rebound off half-back. Adam Tomlinson also comes in as a like-for-like replacement for May as he has his mandatory week off to recover from concussion.
The Swans came from behind to defeat Richmond in a thriller last Friday night, with Lance Franklin the hero with five goals. However, the champion will miss the trip to Melbourne with concussion, in a major blow for the visitors.
The Swans have struggled to match it with the best sides this year, going 1-3 to the current top eight. However, their win over the Tigers showed the free-flowing, exciting football the Swans can play at their best, which can trouble even the mighty Demons.
Ruck-forward Joel Amartey has been chosen to replace Franklin as the focal point in attack, and will help ruckman Peter Ladhams combat star Dees duo Max Gawn and Luke Jackson; while running half-back Nick Blakey returns from illness that saw him miss last week.
Game information
Opening bounce: 7:25pm (AEST)
Venue: MCG
TV: Fox Footy, Channel 7
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Demons $1.28, Swans $3.85 (odds via PlayUp)
Melbourne
B: J. Bowey, A. Tomlinson, H. Petty
HB: J. Harmes, J. Lever, J. Hunt
C: A. Brayshaw, J. Viney, E. Langdon
HF: L. Jackson, T. McDonald, C. Petracca
F: B. Fritsch, B. Brown, C. Spargo
FOLL: M. Gawn (c), C. Oliver, K. Pickett
I/C: C. Salem, J. Jordon, A. Neal-Bullen, T. Sparrow
EMG: T. Bedford, J. Melksham, T. Rivers, M. Brown
IN: Tomlinson, Salem, Langdon, Harmes, McDonald
OUT: Melksham, Weideman, May, Bedford, Rivers
Sydney
B: C. O’Riordan, D. Rampe (c), T. McCartin
HB: O. Florent, P. McCartin, J. Lloyd
C: E. Gulden, C. Mills (c), N. Blakey
HF: C. Warner, I. Heeney, J. McInerney
F: T. Papley, L. McDonald, J. Amartey
FOLL: P. Ladhams, L. Parker (c), J. Rowbottom
I/C: W. Hayward, S. Wicks, S. Reid, R. Fox
EMG: H. McLean, D. Stephens, B. Campbell, B. Ronke
IN: Amartey, Blakey, Fox (R11 medi-sub)
OUT: Campbell, Franklin, Roberts
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Like a number of other sides to be fair.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Whoops. Good on them. Love their heart.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
They lost the Guru to Adelaide it was bound to happen, your turn Pete for Carlton to win a cup since 95’ along time between drinks :stoked:
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
You never know. He huffed and puffed about the Giants winning last week. They didn't. Yet he picked 9 from 9.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
we have to do something
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
Thats a bit harsh, I not sure if they are the best but if not who is better
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Very excellent
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Where’s Brynn? True Blood :laughing:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Most excellent
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I expect a good game between Essendon and Carlton so long as at least one of Langford and Stringer are playing. The absence of these two players has been telling. Merrett, Parish, McGrath, and Shiel are too similar — trade one of McGrath and Shiel out for a first round pick and trade in a big bodied midfielder.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Well actually at 1pm Friday he stated that the Eagles would record their second win this weekend. Is that his tip, or just puff?
Angela
Roar Rookie
Erk...
Angela
Roar Rookie
I'm sure Longmire - grateful for your interest - will take your comments on board.
Angela
Roar Rookie
An excellent result
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Just wrote a thesis on how much and why I hate he who shall not be named but it had too many expletives in it and got blocked :laughing:
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
it shows
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
at their best they look unreal, but they seldom put it together for four quarters
PeteB
Roar Rookie
I think he tips them a lot. Must be a WA thing :laughing:
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
i think dees