Match day guide and preview for the AFL Round 16 game between the Demons and Giants.
Who, when and where?
Melbourne Demons vs GWS Giants
Saturday 3 July 2021 at 1.45pm (AEST)
MCG, Victoria.
All time head-to-head record: Played 14. Giants 6 wins. Demons 8 wins.
Click here to buy tickets. Conditions of entry to the MCG.
Ladder position and recent form
Melbourne Demons 1st – 131.4% | 1218 points for | 927 points against | 12 wins & 2 losses | WLWWL
The Demons are having a terrific season and are just about a lock to finish in the top four at this stage.
They haven’t been at their absolute best the last two matches, losing to a fired-up Magpies side before a gritty win against the Bombers last week.
They are a perfect 7-0 at the MCG in 2021 including wins over Geelong, Richmond and Sydney so they will be mighty tough to beat on Saturday.
GWS Giants 10th – 96.2% | 1150 points for |1195 points against | 6 wins, 7 losses & 1 draw | LWDLW
The Giants had the perfect chance to jump into the top eight after the Tigers loss on Friday night, but were outplayed by a young Hawks side at the MCG.
They didn’t get much out of their tall forwards with Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg combining for just one goal.
They now find themselves in 10th spot and with a difficult run home, so they will need to find a way to beat the top sides if they want to play finals.
Team selection
Giants
IN: Shane Mumford, Tom Green
OUT: Kieren Briggs (omitted), Matt de Boer (omitted), Sam Reid (omitted)
The Giants have recalled Mumford and Green for the clash with last week’s unused medical-sub Lachie Ash also named in the starting side.
Briggs, de Boer and Reid have lost their spots after the disappointing loss against the Hawks.
Demons
IN:
OUT: Nathan Jones (injured)
The Demons are unchanged with last week’s medical-sub Jones the only out.
Players to watch
Demons – Christian Petracca
Petracca is enjoying another brilliant season and has become a top five player in the AFL.
He’s averaging career highs in disposals (28.1), tackles (3.9), inside 50s (7.2), clearances (6.1) and is also kicking over a goal a game.
He had 26 disposals and kicked two crucial goals last week in a low scoring affair against the Bombers to continue his outstanding form.
The Giants have dropped tagger Matt de Boer so it will be interesting to see how they combat the one-two punch of Petracca and Clayton Oliver now.
Giants – Isaac Cumming
Cumming is having a breakout season and has become a permanent fixture in the Giants backline.
Having played just 10 games in the previous three seasons, he has played 14 in 2021 and is averaging career highs in just about every stat.
He plays taller than his 185cm would suggest with strong marking abilities and he also has a long kick on him.
He was one of the Giants best last week with 27 disposals and 8 marks, including 3 intercept marks and will be hoping to carry on his tremendous season.
Last 5 meetings and MCG history
- 2021 Round 3 – Giants 11.2 (68) defeated by Demons 15.2 (102) at Manuka Oval
- 2020 Round 17 – Giants 11.8 (74) defeated by Demons 12.7 (79) at Gabba
- 2019 Round 10 – Demons 10.8 (68) defeated by Giants 14.10 (94) at MCG
- 2018 Round 23 – Demons 15.12 (102) defeat Giants 8.9 (57) at MCG
- 2017 Round 20 – Giants 14.13 (97) defeat Demons 10.2 (62) at Manuka Oval
The Demons hold a 3-2 edge over the Giants in their past five clashes, including a 34-point win over them earlier this season.
They have met six times at the MCG with the Demons winning four however, the Giants won the last meeting there in 2019.
Pre match predictions
Classy Kelly: Josh Kelly to have 25 disposals, 2 goals and 2 goal assists.
Oliver Twist: Clayton Oliver to have 35 touches and 10 clearances for the Dees.
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