The second game on Sunday for AFL Round 2 is between Melbourne Demons and West Coast Eagles. The opening bounce is set to commence at 3.20pm with the game to be played at MCG. The favourite for the match is away team West Coast Eagles. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Demons and West Coast Eagles.
Round: Round 2, Sunday March 30, 3.20pm
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 26° Partly cloudy.
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Odds Comparison:
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Tips: West Coast Eagles to win and cover the line.
Preview:
THE HIGH-FLYING Eagles venture to Melbourne, hoping to continue their hot start to the 2014 season. West Coast was impressive in its first-up win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, while an undermanned Melbourne fell to St Kilda. The Eagles’ forward line fired on all cylinders, with Mark LeCras leading the way with five goals. On the other side of the spectrum, the Demons kicked just six goals against the Saints with the absence of Mitch Clark, Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes and Jack Fitzpatrick – who went down with a concussion early in the game – leaving them toothless in attack. Despite a poor recent record at the MCG, it would be surprising not to see West Coast remain at the top of the AFL ladder at the completion of round two.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2013, West Coast 27.15 (177) d Melbourne 13.5 (83) at the MCG
R2, 2012, West Coast 25.16 (166) d Melbourne 9.4 (58) at Patersons Stadium
R21, 2011, West Coast 16.14 (110) d Melbourne 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2011, West Coast 15.16 (106) d Melbourne 6.16 (52) at Patersons Stadium
R8, 2010, West Coast 10.15 (75) d Melbourne 6.10 (46) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Demons had the equal fewest interchanges in round one with just 75. West Coast had 110 in warmer conditions against the Bulldogs.
2. The Eagles have dominated the Demons in recent seasons, winning the past five contests by 29, 54, 48, 108 and 94 points respectively.
3. West Coast had the third-most inside-50s in the opening round of the season with 60, while Melbourne was ranked 11th with 47.
4. West Coast has won just two of 14 games at the MCG since 2008. Both those wins came at the expense of Melbourne.
5. Melbourne was ranked equal-last in round one for clearances with just 30, while West Coast was equal-fourth with 42.
6. West Coast has four players – Nic Naitanui (No.18), Shannon Hurn (No.29), Matt Priddis (No.36) and Luke Shuey (No.52) –ranked inside the top 100 of the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. The Demons have just co-captain Nathan Jones (No. 85) in the top 100.
Teams:
Melbourne Demons:
Backs: Dunn Frawley Georgiou
Half-backs: Grimes McDonald Terlich
Centres: Trengove Tyson Cross
Half-forwards: Watts Pedersen Toumpas
Forwards: Howe Fitzpatrick Bail
Followers: Spencer N Jones Vince
Interchange: From: Byrnes M Jones Kennedy-Harris Michie Kent Evans Blease
In: Blease Kent Evans
Out: Nil
West Coast Eagles:
Backs: Bennell Glass Brown
Half-backs: Hurn Mackenzie Ellis
Centres: Rosa Priddis Gaff
Half-forwards: Cripps Kennedy Masten
Forwards: LeCras Darling Naitanui
Followers: Cox Selwood Shuey
Interchange: From: Colledge Hill Lycett Sheppard Sinclair Wellingham Yeo
In: Hill Sheppard Lycett Colledge
Out: Sheed
New: Brant Colledge, 19, Perth (WAFL)
