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First of all ..... Good luck tonight ..... on the recent form of both teams it "should" be a good game.
I run a Demons unofficial site and I noticed that one of our posters posted a thread about your match preview. It's always good to read a preview from the opposition point of view so I thought that I post our take on the game.
So here it is. Good Luck and may the best team win .....
THE TEST
by Scoop Junior
Melbourne is set for yet another huge test on Saturday night when it travels for the first time to Telstra Stadium to take on the in-form Sydney Swans. The Demons will be keen to claim another big scalp and establish some credibility in the race for this year?s finals. It seems that the attention of the whole football world this weekend is focussed on the Anzac Day clash between Eddie?s boys and Sheedy?s gang despite the fact that both of those sides are outside of the eight at present. The reality is that the game up in the Harbour City on Saturday night is being played for the Ron Barassi Snr Trophy and should be billed as the match of the round because the sides are sitting 3rd and 6th respectively and they are sure to put on a football display of courage fight and determination far more worthy of the Anzac spirit.
THE GAME
Sydney v Melbourne at Telstra Stadium Sydney on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 7:20 p.m.
For Victorians the game is not being shown live on free to air television. The Ten Network, in its wisdom, has decided to cover a game between two of last week?s losers in preference to the big Saturday night Anzac Blockbuster (in fairness, the decision was made a while ago but it?s still a sign of contempt for what is a big game on the calendar). Melbourne supporters can show solidarity for the cause and see every minute live at the Bentleigh Club which has a Big Screen Event. It?s the best place in town to watch the game. It's only $5.00 per head.
MEDIA
TV - Fox Footy Channel, 7pm
RADIO - 774 ABC, Triple M
THE HISTORY
HEAD TO HEAD Played 191 Sydney 102 Melbourne 88 Drawn 1
AT TELSTRA STADIUM The teams have never played each other at this venue
THIS CENTURY Played 8 Sydney 5 Melbourne 3
THE COACHES Played 3 Paul Roos 3 Neale Daniher 0
WANT A BET? Sydney $1.33 Melbourne $3.00
THE RECENT HISTORY
Not good from a Demons? perspective with four consecutive losses, dating back to Round 6, 2002. The Swans smashed the Dees in the return match at the MCG that year, with Melbourne suffering its biggest loss for the year at the hands of the rampant Swans. Last season?s Anzac Day night clash at the SCG saw the Demons leading by three goals at three-quarter time. However, Sydney flew home with 10 goals in a match that was the catalyst for their enormous turnaround in performance, moving from a 1-3 record to a top-four finish after Round 22. The Dees, on the other hand, plummeted in the opposite direction. Interestingly, in 2001, Melbourne took the honours twice against Sydney, despite having a poor season. The Round 5 clash that year was a memorable one, with Russell Robertson ensuring a Demons victory with three late goals, including a huge leap and mark that set the ground alight.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 22 2003 Sydney 14.10.94 d Melbourne 9.6.60 at MCG.
This was the last game of the season and the Demons had nothing to fight for but pride (and if you?re a true cynic ? a priority draft choice). Sydney was after a top four place. Melbourne started off strongly and looked possible of causing an upset in what was a scrappy game until Michael O?Loughlin cut loose and ended up bagging five goals in what became a comfortable Swans victory. Darren Jolly was strong in the ruck for Melbourne until he went off in the third quarter leaving it open for Adam Goodes to take control of the rucks and gain two Brownlow votes to write his name into football history as he featured in a three way tie for that award.
THE TEAMS
SYDNEY
Backs Mathews James Crouch
Half Backs Barry C Bolton Kennelly
Centres Maxfield Kirk Saddington
Half Forwards Schneider Hall Williams
Forwards O'Keefe Goodes Davis
Followers Ball Fosdike J Bolton
Interchange Bevan Doyle McVeigh Roberts-Thomson
Emergencies Ablett Buchanan Rogers
IN Davis
OUT Ablett
MELBOURNE
Backs Bizzell Nicholson Brown
Half Backs Bruce Rivers Whelan
Centres Green Thompson Wheatley
Half Forwards Johnstone Miller Yze
Forwards Davey Neitz Holland
Followers White McDonald Read
Interchange Armstrong Godfrey Jamar Rigoni
Emergencies Broadbridge Carroll
IN Armstrong Jamar Johnstone
OUT Robertson (susp) Broadbridge Walsh
THE FORM
Both teams are in excellent form with three wins in a row. Melbourne notched up an impressive 53-point victory over Port Adelaide at the MCG, with a number of the middle-aged players stepping up to play big roles in the win. The Swans were just a kick away from knocking off Brisbane at the Gabba in Round 1, which would have left them undefeated after four rounds. They comprehensively thrashed the Kangaroos last week in Canberra and dominated the midfield after the early burst by the Roos. Adam Goodes returned to sparkling form and the lesser names once again did the job for Sydney.
THE MATCH-UP
? v Goodes ? The Brownlow Medallist is Sydney?s most dangerous player. Pace, agility, height, strength, freakish talent?Goodes has the attributes. He is so damaging when on song and can turn a game on its head in 10 minutes of blistering footy. Geelong played Cameron Mooney on him and the tactic worked, with Goodes struggling to have an impact on the match and the Swans equally battling to overcome the plucky Cats. Put simply, Melbourne must curb the influence of this man. The problem is, who do we play on him? Names that spring to mind include Cameron Bruce and Paul Wheatley, as you need that mixture of mobility and height. When in the ruck, I would run Bruce with him. Once Goodes does his work at the centre bounce, he virtually becomes a midfielder, running around the ground taking marks and picking up possessions. So, after the ruck clearance, I would use Bruce to tag him around the ground as he has the attributes to match him. However, when playing forward, perhaps Wheatley or Rivers will get the job. Bruce could still match him in defence, but we look a more dangerous team when Bruce is in the middle.
THE TACTICS
Sydney is not dissimilar to Melbourne in that it relies on an even team performance and has many no-names that regularly do the job. The midfield does not contain the ?big? names, but players like Ben Mathews, Nic Fosdike, Jude Bolton and Brett Kirk just work hard and get the job done. The Swans have plenty of class in Williams and skipper Maxfield and are one of the most highly skilled teams. They will share it around in defence until they free up a loose man. Because their key defenders are more like flankers, they get involved in this style of play and provide run out of defence. The Swans are clean and crisp with their disposal and can really hurt teams on the rebound.
When going forward, however, Sydney is direct and why wouldn?t you be with a target like Barry Hall? Big Bad Barry takes a lot of marks around centre half forward and is instrumental in linking up many of their attacking forays. He must be restricted and the in-form Alistair Nicholson will get first crack. The Swans have dangerous crumbers near goals in Schneider and Davis and have plenty of other tall options that can play forward, such as Saddington, Doyle and Goodes. They are a team that understands their game plan well and are currently playing with loads of confidence.
However, their greatest deficiency appears to be in the backline, where they don?t have a big, strong key defender. Craig Bolton and Leo Barry are honest, but do they have the size and strength to match David Neitz and Ben Holland? Holland could become important because with the best tall defender assigned to Neitz, Holland could either find himself on a significantly shorter opponent or, if the Swans don?t want this to happen, they will have to send Saddington back or play the inexperienced Roberts-Thompson in defence.
If Melbourne can play long and direct footy into its forward line as it has done in the past few weeks, the Sydney defence may start to feel the pressure. If that happens, the Demons might well stand up and pass their big Anzac Day Test.
I run a Demons unofficial site and I noticed that one of our posters posted a thread about your match preview. It's always good to read a preview from the opposition point of view so I thought that I post our take on the game.
So here it is. Good Luck and may the best team win .....
THE TEST
by Scoop Junior
Melbourne is set for yet another huge test on Saturday night when it travels for the first time to Telstra Stadium to take on the in-form Sydney Swans. The Demons will be keen to claim another big scalp and establish some credibility in the race for this year?s finals. It seems that the attention of the whole football world this weekend is focussed on the Anzac Day clash between Eddie?s boys and Sheedy?s gang despite the fact that both of those sides are outside of the eight at present. The reality is that the game up in the Harbour City on Saturday night is being played for the Ron Barassi Snr Trophy and should be billed as the match of the round because the sides are sitting 3rd and 6th respectively and they are sure to put on a football display of courage fight and determination far more worthy of the Anzac spirit.
THE GAME
Sydney v Melbourne at Telstra Stadium Sydney on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 7:20 p.m.
For Victorians the game is not being shown live on free to air television. The Ten Network, in its wisdom, has decided to cover a game between two of last week?s losers in preference to the big Saturday night Anzac Blockbuster (in fairness, the decision was made a while ago but it?s still a sign of contempt for what is a big game on the calendar). Melbourne supporters can show solidarity for the cause and see every minute live at the Bentleigh Club which has a Big Screen Event. It?s the best place in town to watch the game. It's only $5.00 per head.
MEDIA
TV - Fox Footy Channel, 7pm
RADIO - 774 ABC, Triple M
THE HISTORY
HEAD TO HEAD Played 191 Sydney 102 Melbourne 88 Drawn 1
AT TELSTRA STADIUM The teams have never played each other at this venue
THIS CENTURY Played 8 Sydney 5 Melbourne 3
THE COACHES Played 3 Paul Roos 3 Neale Daniher 0
WANT A BET? Sydney $1.33 Melbourne $3.00
THE RECENT HISTORY
Not good from a Demons? perspective with four consecutive losses, dating back to Round 6, 2002. The Swans smashed the Dees in the return match at the MCG that year, with Melbourne suffering its biggest loss for the year at the hands of the rampant Swans. Last season?s Anzac Day night clash at the SCG saw the Demons leading by three goals at three-quarter time. However, Sydney flew home with 10 goals in a match that was the catalyst for their enormous turnaround in performance, moving from a 1-3 record to a top-four finish after Round 22. The Dees, on the other hand, plummeted in the opposite direction. Interestingly, in 2001, Melbourne took the honours twice against Sydney, despite having a poor season. The Round 5 clash that year was a memorable one, with Russell Robertson ensuring a Demons victory with three late goals, including a huge leap and mark that set the ground alight.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 22 2003 Sydney 14.10.94 d Melbourne 9.6.60 at MCG.
This was the last game of the season and the Demons had nothing to fight for but pride (and if you?re a true cynic ? a priority draft choice). Sydney was after a top four place. Melbourne started off strongly and looked possible of causing an upset in what was a scrappy game until Michael O?Loughlin cut loose and ended up bagging five goals in what became a comfortable Swans victory. Darren Jolly was strong in the ruck for Melbourne until he went off in the third quarter leaving it open for Adam Goodes to take control of the rucks and gain two Brownlow votes to write his name into football history as he featured in a three way tie for that award.
THE TEAMS
SYDNEY
Backs Mathews James Crouch
Half Backs Barry C Bolton Kennelly
Centres Maxfield Kirk Saddington
Half Forwards Schneider Hall Williams
Forwards O'Keefe Goodes Davis
Followers Ball Fosdike J Bolton
Interchange Bevan Doyle McVeigh Roberts-Thomson
Emergencies Ablett Buchanan Rogers
IN Davis
OUT Ablett
MELBOURNE
Backs Bizzell Nicholson Brown
Half Backs Bruce Rivers Whelan
Centres Green Thompson Wheatley
Half Forwards Johnstone Miller Yze
Forwards Davey Neitz Holland
Followers White McDonald Read
Interchange Armstrong Godfrey Jamar Rigoni
Emergencies Broadbridge Carroll
IN Armstrong Jamar Johnstone
OUT Robertson (susp) Broadbridge Walsh
THE FORM
Both teams are in excellent form with three wins in a row. Melbourne notched up an impressive 53-point victory over Port Adelaide at the MCG, with a number of the middle-aged players stepping up to play big roles in the win. The Swans were just a kick away from knocking off Brisbane at the Gabba in Round 1, which would have left them undefeated after four rounds. They comprehensively thrashed the Kangaroos last week in Canberra and dominated the midfield after the early burst by the Roos. Adam Goodes returned to sparkling form and the lesser names once again did the job for Sydney.
THE MATCH-UP
? v Goodes ? The Brownlow Medallist is Sydney?s most dangerous player. Pace, agility, height, strength, freakish talent?Goodes has the attributes. He is so damaging when on song and can turn a game on its head in 10 minutes of blistering footy. Geelong played Cameron Mooney on him and the tactic worked, with Goodes struggling to have an impact on the match and the Swans equally battling to overcome the plucky Cats. Put simply, Melbourne must curb the influence of this man. The problem is, who do we play on him? Names that spring to mind include Cameron Bruce and Paul Wheatley, as you need that mixture of mobility and height. When in the ruck, I would run Bruce with him. Once Goodes does his work at the centre bounce, he virtually becomes a midfielder, running around the ground taking marks and picking up possessions. So, after the ruck clearance, I would use Bruce to tag him around the ground as he has the attributes to match him. However, when playing forward, perhaps Wheatley or Rivers will get the job. Bruce could still match him in defence, but we look a more dangerous team when Bruce is in the middle.
THE TACTICS
Sydney is not dissimilar to Melbourne in that it relies on an even team performance and has many no-names that regularly do the job. The midfield does not contain the ?big? names, but players like Ben Mathews, Nic Fosdike, Jude Bolton and Brett Kirk just work hard and get the job done. The Swans have plenty of class in Williams and skipper Maxfield and are one of the most highly skilled teams. They will share it around in defence until they free up a loose man. Because their key defenders are more like flankers, they get involved in this style of play and provide run out of defence. The Swans are clean and crisp with their disposal and can really hurt teams on the rebound.
When going forward, however, Sydney is direct and why wouldn?t you be with a target like Barry Hall? Big Bad Barry takes a lot of marks around centre half forward and is instrumental in linking up many of their attacking forays. He must be restricted and the in-form Alistair Nicholson will get first crack. The Swans have dangerous crumbers near goals in Schneider and Davis and have plenty of other tall options that can play forward, such as Saddington, Doyle and Goodes. They are a team that understands their game plan well and are currently playing with loads of confidence.
However, their greatest deficiency appears to be in the backline, where they don?t have a big, strong key defender. Craig Bolton and Leo Barry are honest, but do they have the size and strength to match David Neitz and Ben Holland? Holland could become important because with the best tall defender assigned to Neitz, Holland could either find himself on a significantly shorter opponent or, if the Swans don?t want this to happen, they will have to send Saddington back or play the inexperienced Roberts-Thompson in defence.
If Melbourne can play long and direct footy into its forward line as it has done in the past few weeks, the Sydney defence may start to feel the pressure. If that happens, the Demons might well stand up and pass their big Anzac Day Test.
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