Round seven preview: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

VENUE and TIME: MCG, Friday 7 May, 7.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 152: Melbourne 83, Bulldogs 68, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) d Melbourne 15.7 (97) at MCG, Round 8, 2009

RECENT HISTORY: The Western Bulldogs have won their past three matches against Melbourne.

FORM: Melbourne’s three-game winning run came to an end when they went down to North Melbourne by 26 points at Etihad Stadium last Saturday. The Bulldogs looked set to record their first win over a top-eight in 2010 last Friday night before St Kilda booted three late goals to get up by three points. Like the Demons, the Dogs have a 3-3 record.

MEDICAL ROOM: Melbourne was dealt a major blow during the week with promising young forward Ricky Petterd ruled out for up to four months with a dislocated shoulder. Cale Morton is at least another week away from returning from a knee injury while livewire Liam Jurrah (shoulder) is two months away from playing. For the Dogs, key midfielder Matthew Boyd returns from a hand injury but skipper Brad Johnson and Nathan Eagleton will miss with the clash with the Demons due to groin and leg injuries respectively. Tagger Liam Picken (ankle - three to four weeks) and Callan Ward (groin - four weeks) remain on the sidelines.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Dylan Addison vs. Aaron Davey

Davey leads Melbourne for kicks so far this season with a total of 89.

Limiting the influence of the 26-year-old in the middle will be a key for the Bulldogs if they are going to starve Melbourne’s forwards of quality supply.

Addison has been given some big tagging jobs in the absence of the injured Picken and will most likely be given first crack at the Demons star.

The young Bulldog will need to apply plenty of body pressure from the outset in order to put Davey off his game.

Clint Bartram vs. Adam Cooney

Cooney has been one of the Dogs’ most consistent performers so far this year, averaging 27 disposals per match.

The 2008 Brownlow medallist is also ranked third in the AFL for total clearances and fourth for inside 50’s.

Bartram - who kept Kangaroos skipper Brent Harvey to just 17 touches last weekend - will match-up on Cooney in what will be a pivotal duel.

It is vital for the Demons that Bartram is switched on defensively all night and doesn’t give Cooney any time or space at the stoppages otherwise he will hurt them with his ability to break the lines and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.

Brian Lake vs. Brad Green

Green has been Melbourne’s most productive forward so far this season, booting 15 goals in six games.

The Demons will need him to continue his good run of form if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to overcome the Dogs.

However, Green’s task won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by one of the in-form defenders in the competition in Lake.

Not only is Lake a frugal defender but he also wins plenty of the football.

Melbourne will need to be precise with their delivery inside 50 otherwise Lake - who has averaged 19 possessions per game so far this year - will help set up the Bulldogs’ attacking forays.

Matthew Warnock vs. Barry Hall

Former Sydney premiership skipper Hall looms as the main danger man for Melbourne given that he has booted 23 goals in his past six matches against the Demons.

Warnock has shown some good signs down back so far this season and will line-up on Hall.

Melbourne laid just 58 tackles against the Roos - which was their lowest tackle count for the year.

The Dees will need to lift their intensity otherwise the highly skilled Bulldogs midfield will provide Hall with silver service.

VERDICT: This is a must-win match for the Western Bulldogs if they are serious about being a top-four contender. Melbourne is undoubtedly a side on the rise but the Bulldogs have class on every line and will most likely come out breathing fire after the disappointing loss to the Saints. Bulldogs by 41 points.

MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
MELBOURNE
B: Cameron Bruce, Matthew Warnock, James Frawley
HB: James McDonald, Colin Garland, Clint Bartram
C: Jack Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Jared Rivers
HF: Brad Green, Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn
F: Nathan Jones, Matthew Bate, Aaron Davey
Foll: Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Brent Moloney
I/C: Jamie Bennell, Paul Johnson, Tom Scully, Daniel Hughes
Emg: Joel Macdonald, Neville Jetta, Michael Newton

In: Johnson, Hughes, McKenzie
Out: Joel Macdonald, Ricky Petterd (shoulder), Stefan Martin

New: Daniel Hughes (Sandringham/rookie list)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross, Andrejs Everitt
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Shaun Higgins
F: Daniel Giansiracusa, Barry Hall, Jason Akermanis
Foll: Ben Hudson, Matthew Boyd, Adam Cooney
I/C: Dylan Addison, Jarrad Grant, Brennan Stack, Jordan Roughead
Emg: Will Minson, Josh Hill, Easton Wood

In: Boyd, Stack
Out: Nathan Eagleton (leg), Brad Johnson (groin)

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