The first game of Sunday AFL Round 19 matches is between Melbourne Demons and Brisbane Lions. The game is set to commence at 1:10 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. Home team Melbourne Demons go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Demons and Brisbane Lions.
Round: Round 19 , August 03, 2014, 1:10 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 14° Mostly sunny
Featured Bookmakers:
Preview:
THE BRISBANE Lions will be hoping their finest performance of the season against Gold Coast last weekend spurs the side on for the rest of 2014. The Lions’ task of finding that consistency starts this week against Melbourne, in what shapes as a close duel. The Demons’ ability to challenge Port Adelaide last week proves they have made some significant inroads in Paul Roos’ first year as coach. With Roos signing on until the end of 2016, it will be interesting to see the direction he and the team take towards the back half of this season.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R17, 2013, Brisbane Lions 13.16 (94) d Melbourne 11.9 (75) at TIO Stadium
R5, 2013, Brisbane Lions 17.20 (122) d Melbourne 14.10 (94) at the Gabba
R14, 2012, Brisbane Lions 18.14 (122) d Melbourne 8.13 (61) at the Gabba
R1, 2012, Brisbane Lions 17.17 (119) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R3, 2011, Melbourne 12.10 (82) d Brisbane Lions 11.5 (71) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Both teams continue to struggle to take the ball Inside 50. Melbourne is ranked last in the competition (41.1 per game), while the Lions are 16th (44.5).
2. Melbourne coach Paul Roos says there is no hoodoo at Etihad Stadium, but the stats tend to disprove his theory. The Demons have lost their past 18 games at the venue and haven’t won there since round 19, 2007.
3. Don’t expect these sides to win a lot of ball out of the middle. Melbourne is ranked 18th in the League in clearances, averaging just 33.7 per game. The Lions sit 14th and average 37.6 a game.
4. The Demons have the wood over the Lions in Melbourne. Melbourne has 13 wins from 16 contests against the Brisbane Lions in its home city.
5. The Brisbane Lions passed 100 points in a game for the first time in 2014 against Gold Coast last round. Melbourne is now the only team that is yet to pass the century mark in a game this year.
6. Roos would be well advised to stop Pearce Hanley on Sunday. The dashing Lion collected a career-high 30.2 Official AFL Player Ratings points for his stellar game against Gold Coast in round 18. For Melbourne, Rohan Bail also scored a career-high with 17.7 points against Port Adelaide.
Teams:
MELBOURNE
B Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
HB Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Jeremy Howe
C Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie
HF Rohan Bail, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Viney
F Luke Tapscott, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts
Fol Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C Dean Kent, Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley, Max Gawn, Matt Jones, Dean Terlich (three to be omitted)
In Max Gawn, Matt Jones, Dean Terlich
BRISBANE LIONS
B Darcy Gardiner, Matt Maguire, Justin Clarke.
HB Joel Patfull, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood.
C Ashley McGrath, James Aish, Sam Mayes.
HF Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Josh Green.
F Dayne Zorko, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock.
Fol Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley.
I/C Jack Crisp, Rohan Bewick, Claye Beams, Nick Robertson, Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester, Zac O’Brien (three to be omitted)
In Nick Robertson, Jordan Lisle, Zac O’Brien.
