Melbourne finish fifth with a thumping win over GWS
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TODAY’S LINE-UP from 2PM: Matthew Richardson, Cameron Ling, Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, and Mick Warner.
Photo: Julian Smith / AAP
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FULL TIME
Melbourne is on a roll!
The Demons thumped GWS by 45 points as they enter the finals at full steam.
Cameron Ling said they’re a genuine chance to win the flag.
“Why can’t they?” Lingy said.
“We’ve seen in the last two years, clubs who’ve had a big drought have got on a roll and got their momentum going. Why can’t Melbourne?
“They’ve got the contested game, they’ve got the ball movement and some exciting weapons.”
Matthew Richardson said the Dees’ game stacks up.
“They’re the best contested footy team in the competition,” Richo said.
“They’re the number one scoring team in the competition.
“And they showed today their defence can hold up.”
Click PLAY for the full-time wrap with Richo and Lingy
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HALF TIME
Melbourne lead by 13 points at the main break.
But Matthew Richardson said they should be further in front.
“The Giants were just hanging on for most of the quarter,” Richo said.
“But Melbourne didn’t nail it shut.
“If the Giants can make an adjustment around the footy, Melbourne could get nervous again.”
Click PLAY for the half-time wrap with Richo and Lingy
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LATE CHANGE
Melbourne has withdrawn Mitch Hannan from today’s game.
Jay Kennedy Harris comes into the lineup.
GWS is unchanged.
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THE BUILD-UP
Melbourne (8th) and GWS (6th) square off on Sunday with the winner to host a final in two weeks’ time.
The Demons will jump to 5th if they win today, dropping GWS to 7th. It would have Melbourne hosting Geelong and Sydney hosting GWS in the Elimination Finals.
If GWS wins, they will finish 5th and Melbourne will stay 8th, meaning they play again in two weeks’ time. That would likely be at Spotless Stadium. Sydney would host Geelong in the other Elimination Final.
In the unlikely event of a draw, GWS would finish 5th and host Geelong. Melbourne would rise to 7th and face an away Elimination Final against Sydney.
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