Melbourne v Sydney Swans
Sunday, July 26, 2009, 1.10pm, Manuka Oval
 
Season to date
The Demons are 15th on the ladder with 12 points but have two wins from their last three games.
 
Last week’s loss to the Cats came on the back of consecutive victories over Port Adelaide and West Coast. Melbourne’s only other joy this season was an eight-point win over Richmond in round four.

Coach Dean Bailey continues to build for a brighter future with Cale Morton and Liam Jurrah starting to shine. The Dees have already equalled their number of wins from last season and with Fremantle, North Melbourne and Richmond in the run-in, the Demons will feel confident of bettering that in 2009.
 
Recent form
Round 12 –  Melbourne 13.5 (83) lost to Essendon 19.17 (131), Docklands
Round 13 –  Melbourne 8.8 (56) lost to Brisbane Lions 16.15 (111), Gabba
Round 14 –  Melbourne 17.10 (112) d West Coast 13.14 (92), MCG
Round 15 –  Melbourne 15.11 (101) d Port Adelaide 13.12 (90), MCG
Round 16 –  Melbourne 11.5 (71) lost to Geelong 17.15 (117), Skilled Stadium
 
Last time they met
Sydney Swans 17.12 (114) d Melbourne 11.8 (74), round 13, 2008, Manuka Oval

The Swans held off a third term comeback from the Demons to register a 40-point win in the nation’s capital.

After the Swans took a 30-point lead into half time, the Dees dragged themselves back into the contest with a five goal to two third quarter, but the Swans upped the ante and ran out comfortable winners.

Swans spearhead Barry Hall was superb grabbing five majors and he could have finished with much more (he ended 5.5). Brett Kirk had 27 possessions and laid eight tackles.
 
For the Demons, Matthew Bate with four goals, Cameron Bruce with seven tackles and 16 disposals and Brad Green with an eye-catching 24 possessions were the pick. Austin Wonaeamirri also chimed in with three majors.

The venue: Manuka Oval
The Demons’ record isn’t too flash – last year’s 40-point loss to the Swans came on the back of a 48-point loss at the same ground against the Swans a year earlier.
 
The coach: Dean Bailey
Despite having one of the toughest jobs in the competition, Bailey has maintained his focus on the future despite the short-term pain. And it’s slowly starting to pay-off with some encouraging results and performances in the back half of the season.
 
Strengths
The Dees are an up-and-coming squad with a few classy, experienced heads guiding them along. Cameron Bruce, 29, is a leader and averages 26.4 possessions while the consistent Brad Green, 28, continues to work hard and lead the midfield group.
 
As for the youth, Matthew Bate has proved a useful target in the forward 50 while Liam Jurrah has been a livewire in recent times. Aaron Davey is also a clever footballer who can create openings while Colin Sylvia is beginning to stamp his authority on the side. Young Cale Morton and Jamie Bennell have also stepped up this season.
 
Missing in action
Jack Grimes (back) – test
Paul Wheatley (quad) – 2 weeks
Mark Jamar (quad) – 2-3 weeks
Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) – 3-4 weeks
Rhys Healey (quad) – indefinite
Daniel Bell (shoulder) – season
John Meesen (foot) – season
Colin Garland (foot) – season
Sam Blease (leg) – season
James Struass (shoulder) – season
Addam Maric (shoulder) – season
 
The key: Four-quarter effort
Both sides will be playing younger players, so consistency over four quarters will be a key.
 
If the Swans can regain their trademark contested style of footy over four quarters and win the clearances they should have too much class for Melbourne.
 
This point will be magnified as the Demons are set to miss ruckman Mark Jamar while Darren Jolly continues to dominate the hit-outs for the Swans.
 
The young gun: Cale Morton
His run and long kicking has excited fans and he could be a real leader at the club in years to come. The 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee has played in all 16 games this season bagging eight goals and averaging almost 23 possessions a game.
 
The big questions
Can the Swans regain some momentum after a poor July? Will Bailey drop Russell Robertson for a younger player? Can Jesse White continue his good form up forward for the Swans?
 
What they’re saying
“If you're looking at something against the Swans where you try to get an edge ... it's certainly in the clearances. Losing Jamar doesn't help." -  Melbourne coach Dean Bailey