Sunday’s AFL 2018 Round 23 match is between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:20 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The away team Greater Western Sydney Giants are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
When: 15:20 | Sunday 26/08/2018
Where: MCG
Preview:
The Demons’ 12-year finals drought is over and they would be excited about that.
They deserve to be in the finals and they’ve played a strong brand of footy all year.
Melbourne moved the ball with pace against the Eagles last week and it has been their strength all year but they also moved the ball better going inside 50 which will be important against the Giants.
More injury concerns for the Giants and it has been a disaster for them this year but they will get Josh Kelly and maybe Zac Williams back this week which will be a massive boost.
KEY BATTLE: Phil Davis v Tom McDonald
With Jesse Hogan out for the year, McDonald is the focal point for Melbourne and Davis is one of the best defenders in the game.
The Verdict
Hard to go past Melbourne on the MCG.
The Demons have a 13-8 (61.9 percent) record as a home favourite in day matches since 2015.
Unibet Odds:
Melbourne Demons at $1.45
Greater Western Sydney Giants at $2.80
Odds:
Tip: Greater Western Sydney Giants at $2.80
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Jeremy Cameron at $9.00
More Info:
Teams:
Melbourne Demons: 
B: Jetta, O. McDonald, Lewis
HB: Salem, Frost, Hibberd
C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Harmes
HF: Melksham, T. McDonald, vandenBerg
F: Fritsch, Weideman, Neal-Bullen
FOLL: Gawn, Jones, Petracca
I/C (from): Spargo, Tyson, Kent, Hannan, Wagner, Pedersen, Kennedy Harris, Bugg
IN: Kennedy Harris, Pederson, Bugg, Wagner
OUT:
Greater Western Sydney Giants: 
B: Finlayson, Davis, Tomlinson
HB: Kennedy, Haynes, Perryman
C: Whitfield, Ward, Hopper
HF: Reid, Cameron, Bonar
F: Langdon, Himmelberg, Kelly
FOLL: Lobb, Coniglio, Shiel
I/C (from): Lloyd, Daniels, Buntine, Williams, Keefee, Buckley, Cumming, Taranto
IN: Reid, Kelly, Cumming, Buckley, Williams
OUT: Griffen
AFL News:
GWS vice-captain and midfield star Josh Kelly is “symptom free” and on track to play in Sunday’s crucial AFL clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Kelly missed last weekend’s Sydney’s derby after suffering concussion against Adelaide the previous week.
“He trained today, we expect him to train again on Thursday and put his hand up for selection,” Giants’ head of athletic performance David Joyce said on the club’s website.
Kelly is one of four players listed to face a medical assessment this week, alongside co-captain and key defender Phil Davis (hip) plus hamstrung utilities Sam Reid and Ryan Griffen.
Davis was hurt in the first half of last Saturday’s loss and although he returned he was restricted to a forward role and couldn’t continue his containing role on Swans star Lance Franklin, who cut loose after the main break.
“He’s done everything right,” Joyce said of Davis.
“He’s got a couple of quad corks and other things as well because he’s a combative sort of player, but he’s showing signs of a really nice recovery.
“He’s been in the pool today and we expect him to feature at the back end of the week and hopefully he can put his hand up for selection again.”
Griffen was cleared of serious hamstring damage, while Reid has recovered well from a minor hamstring complaint.
Exciting defender Zac Williams has recovered well from his first NEAFL match of the season – the coaching staff decide later in the week whether he plays again in the reserves, or lines up at the MCG.
A number of injured players are expected to be available for the first week of finals including star small forward Toby Greene, versatile veterans Brett Deledio and Matt de Boer plus leading defenders Aidan Corr and Sam Taylor.
