Demons prepare for Crows assault

Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson admits the Demons have a tough ask matching it with the AFL’s form side Adelaide on Sunday.

But the gun midfielder, who plays his 50th game for the club against the Crows, wants to know how Melbourne’s transformation is tracking.

And there’s no better test currently than the Crows, who have tallied a league-best five straight wins, including three victories over top eight sides.

Adelaide’s red-hot month has had the twin effect of all but ensuring their own finals place and locking out several other sides.

Melbourne are one of five clubs within distant sight of the top eight, entering round 15 three wins short of a finals position.

It makes Sunday afternoon’s match the very last chance the Demons have to stake a claim in season 2016, and Tyson is up for the challenge.

“If we bring our best footy, if we give it a red hot shake for four quarters we can match it with them,” he told AAP.

“No illusions. It’ll be a tough contest.

“We’re not performing at a high level that allows us to beat a top four side just yet.

“But the way we are improving it feels like we’re not far off being able to match it with the best sides.”

There’s no doubt Melbourne have taken strides this season but they’re without a top-eight scalp since a round one victory over GWS Giants.

Against the unchanged Crows, Josh Wagner (knee), Clayton Oliver and Jack Trengove (both omitted) make way for Jeff Garlett, Matt Jones and James Harmes.

Ahead of his milestone match, Tyson, 23, reflects fondly on his time with Melbourne even as his former club prepares for a maiden finals campaign.

The No.2 draft pick is out of contract at the end of 2017, and like forward Jesse Hogan, gave the indication his future would depend on future leaps forward.

“It’s been a good time for me since I crossed over,” he said.

“We’ve been progressing. Slowly initially but we now we have a list and a structure around to really push forward.

“We’ve got some pretty lofty goals over the next two years. We feel like we’ve got the talent and need to work hard and deliver on game day.”

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