SUMMARY
Melbourne's hopes of playing in the finals for the first time since 2006 came to a crashing halt following its shock loss to Carlton. After three successive wins, including one over Hawthorn, the Demons needed to extend their winning run to remain in the finals hunt and move to within four points of eighth-placed North Melbourne. Finals-bound Geelong, meanwhile, stayed in the top four after accounting for the Brisbane Lions and faces a dilemma at the selection table with several Cats in line to return, headlined by 302-gamer Jimmy Bartel, who was rested last week. The Demons will fancy their chances at Simonds Stadium having defeated the Cats at the venue when they last met in round 12, 2015, and will be eager to end Paul Roos' coaching tenure on a high.
WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, Saturday, August 27, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for AFL.com.au's broadcast guide
Max Gawn announced himself to the AFL last time the Cats met the Demons. Picture: AFL Photos
LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2015, Melbourne 18.5 (113) d Geelong 13.11 (89) at Simonds Stadium
R17, 2014, Geelong 14.18 (102) d Melbourne 5.6 (36) the MCG
R16, 2013, Geelong 13.20 (98) d Melbourne 4.6 (30) at Simonds Stadium
R6, 2012, Geelong 17.17 (119) d Melbourne 11.10 (76) at Simonds Stadium
R19, 2011, Geelong 37.11 (233) d Melbourne 7.5 (47) at Simonds Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. It was Demon Max Gawn's day when the teams last played. His 44 hit-outs, 19 disposals and one goal saw him earn the three Brownlow Medal votes.
2. Melbourne's win in 2015 was its first over Geelong since early 2006 after the Cats had won the previous 10 contests. The Demons haven't won back-to-back clashes against Geelong since 2005.
3. The Cats are ranked No.1 for both marks inside 50 (15 per game) and contested marks (13.6), while the Demons are ranked seventh (12.3) and ninth (11.3) respectively.
4. Geelong has once again been impressive at Simonds Stadium this season, winning six of its seven games.
5. Should the Demons win, it will be the first time they've won 11 or more games in a season since 2006. Geelong is aiming for its eighth top-four spot since 2007.
6. Steven Motlop climbed 10 places, from No.104 to No.94 overall, in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after his 23-disposal, five-goal game against the Brisbane Lions. His season-best (No.86 overall) was recorded in round eight.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Paul Roos
Saturday's clash marks the 2005 premiership-winning coach's final game in charge of Melbourne, before handing the reigns to senior assistant Simon Goodwin. Roos has instilled a positive mood in his three seasons at the Demons and leaves the club in a stronger position from when he took over in September 2013.
PREDICTION: Geelong by 28 points
