Round 22
Adelaide v Melbourne
Sunday, August 26 at 4:10pm (SA time)
The MCG
Milestones
Kurt Tippett (100 games)
James Frawley (100 games)
Latest news
One change for Dees
Melbourne has recalled Daniel Nicholson at the expense of mature-age midfielder Tom Couch for Sunday's clash with Adelaide at the MCG.
Out of action (Estimates only)
Mark Jamar (calf) - test
Clint Bartram (knee) - season
Jamie Bennell (knee) - season
Mitch Clark (foot) - season
Aaron Davey (foot) - season
Max Gawn (knee) - season
Stef Martin (foot) - season
Cale Morton (shoulder) - season
Ricky Petterd (Achilles) - season
Rory Taggert (back) - season
Melbourne’s recent form
Round 21, Melbourne 11.18 (84) d GWS 9.5 (59), Manuka Oval
Round 20, St Kilda 16.11 (107) d Melbourne 12.10 (82), MCG
Round 19, Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 9.12 (66), MCG
Round 18, North Melbourne 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 11.7 (73), Etihad Stadium
Round 17, Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) d Melbourne 8.8 (56), TIO Stadium
Recent form against Adelaide
2011, Round seven, Melbourne 22.17 (149) d Adelaide 8.5 (53), MCG
2010, Round 13, Adelaide 16.21 (117) d Melbourne 11.7 (73), AAMI Stadium
2010, Round three, Melbourne 7.15 (57) d Adelaide 5.11 (41), MCG
2009, Round five, Adelaide 7.9 (51) d Melbourne 4.10 (34), MCG
2008, Round eight, Adelaide 22.18 (150) d Melbourne 11.8 (74), AAMI Stadium
Squad
B: Tom McDonald, Colin Garland, Joel Macdonald
HB: Jack Watts, James Frawley, Lynden Dunn
C: Jack Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Grimes
HF: Sam Blease, Jared Rivers, Rohan Bail
F: Jeremy Howe, Brad Green, Neville Jetta
Foll: Jake Spencer, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones
INT FROM: Luke Tapscott, James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, James Sellar
INS: Daniel Nicholson
OUT: Thomas Couch
Stats that matter
The Demons play on from marks more than any other team in the competition (42.4 per cent). Adelaide is ranked last in this category, playing on from marks only 25.8 per cent of the time.
Scott Welsh holds the record for most Crows goals against Melbourne. Welsh kicked eight at AAMI Stadium (Football Park) in round 14, 2004.
Melbourne is second in the AFL for contested marks, averaging 14 per game. The Crows are fifth (12.6 average).
Crow Scott Thompson played 39 games for Melbourne before joining Adelaide.
The Crows have a 63.33 per cent winning record against Melbourne, having won 19 of the 30 matches played between the two teams.
Adelaide has conceded 100 or more points only seven times against the Demons, while kicking 100-plus points 15 times.
The Demons average fewer possessions a game (329.4) than any other team in 2012.
This week’s clash will be only Adelaide’s second trip to the MCG this season. The Club’s first match at the G - a loss - was against Hawthorn in round three.
News Bites
One change for Dees
Melbourne has recalled Daniel Nicholson at the expense of mature-age midfielder Tom Couch for Sunday's clash with Adelaide at the MCG.
Three added to squad
Melbourne has added Matthew Bate, Daniel Nicholson and Jordan Gysberts to the 25-man squad to play Adelaide. The Demons are yet to confirm any changes to the team that beat GWS.
Green to go out at the 'G' - AFL.com.au
MELBOURNE veteran Brad Green has brought his retirement forward one week to stage a farewell at the MCG. Green had already announced he was stepping aside at the end of the season but with the Demons traveling to Perth to play Fremantle in the final game of the season, Green will play his final game against Adelaide at the MCG this Sunday.
In the Mix - AFL.com.au
MELBOURNE
Melbourne might be tempted to select Mark Jamar after an extended layoff with a calf injury but it has no need to rush. Jake Spencer has performed well in his absence and almost cemented a spot, but Jamar will undergo a fitness test. Stefan Martin is the latest to be ruled out for the season, one of nine players gone for the year through injury. The big question is whether or not to re-introduce Brent Moloney or give Jordan Gysberts a second game for the season, or to keep playing Tom Couch, who was subbed off midway through the third quarter last week.
