The second game on Sunday for AFL Round 21 is between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The game is set to commence at 3:20 PM with the game to be played at MCG. The favourite for the match is home team Melbourne Demons. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Round: Round 21 , August 17, 2014, 3:20 PM
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 15° A little rain.
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Preview:
TWO TEAMS riding long losing runs and in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon come face-to-face at the MCG on Sunday when Melbourne hosts Greater Western Sydney. The Demons have lost seven straight games, with their last victory against Essendon back on June 15. The Giants are on a six-game losing run of their own since they knocked off the Brisbane Lions and Carlton in consecutive weeks in rounds 13-14. Remarkably, just 0.2 per cent separates these four-win teams on the ladder, so a tight battle could be on the cards.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2014, GWS 10.19 (79) d Melbourne 7.5 (47) at Spotless Stadium
R19, 2013, GWS 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.15 (87) at Spotless Stadium
R4, 2013, Melbourne 22.12 (144) d GWS 15.13 (103) at MCG
R21, 2012, Melbourne 11.18 (84) d GWS 9.5 (59) at Manuka Oval
R13, 2012, Melbourne 20.15 (135) d GWS 9.3 (57) at MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. GWS has won its past two matches against Melbourne, including a comprehensive 32-point victory at Spotless Stadium this year. Two of the Giants’ five wins at their home ground have come against the Dees.
2. Contested marking is an area of concern for the Giants, ranked last in the AFL with only 7.2 per game. Melbourne is seventh (10.1).
3. Goalkicking is one of Melbourne’s main issues, with a goal accuracy of just 46.7 per cent, equal worst in the competition. GWS is 13th at 47.5 per cent.
4. GWS remains winless at the MCG in six attempts, two of which were against Melbourne.
5. In the round four match-up between these teams last year, GWS led by 19 points at the final change before the Demons registered a club-record 12.2 in the fourth quarter for a stunning 41-point win.
6. The struggles of these sides are reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Callan Ward (No.19) is the only Giant ranked in the top 50, while the 114th-ranked Nathan Jones leads the Dees.
Teams:
MELBOURNE
B, Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
HB, Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C, Bernie Vince, Jack Watts, Daniel Cross
HF, Viv Michie, James Frawley, Jack Viney
F, Dean Kent, Chris Dawes, Max Gawn
Fol, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C, Christian Salem, Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley, Dom Barry, Rohan Bail, Matt Jones, Jack Fitzpatrick, (three to be omitted),
In, Jack Grimes, Christian Salem, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Fitzpatrick
Out, Jay Kennedy-Harris (omitted)
GWS GIANTS:
B: Adam Kennedy, Lachie Plowman, Heath Shaw
HB Jono O’Rourke, Phil Davis, Matt Buntine.
C: Devon Smith, Adam Treloar, Toby Greene.
HF: Rhys Palmer, Adam Tomlinson, Will Hoskin-Elliott.
F: Joshua Kelly, Jonathon Patton, Tom Boyd
Fol: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel
I/C Jonathan Giles, Mark Whiley, Zac Williams, Tomas Bugg, James Stewart, Tim Golds, Nathan Wilson (three to be omitted)
In Jonathan Giles, Mark Whiley, James Stewart, Nathan Wilson
Out Jed Lamb (omitted)
