Match Details
First Elimination Final
Melbourne v Geelong
MCG
Friday, September 7, 7.50pm (AEST)
Summary
FOR the first time in 12 years, Melbourne will return to the September stage in a sudden death Elimination Final against Geelong on Friday night.
In the two matches between Melbourne and Geelong in 2018, the combined margin has been five points – three points in round one and two in round 18 – so a nail-biting affair is likely.
Additionally, both sides appear to be in red-hot form at the right time, after each recording consecutive wins in the final two matches of the season.
In round 22 and 23, Melbourne defeated the fancied West Coast and GWS, while Geelong cruised to 100-plus point wins over Fremantle and the Gold Coast Suns.
This is the first time since 2005 that Melbourne and Geelong have clashed in the finals, when the Cats prevailed by 55 points in an Elimination Final.
The winner of this match will progress to a Semi Final at the MCG against the loser of the Richmond v Hawthorn qualifying final.
Team news
Melbourne
The Demons have brought Mitch Hannan and co-captain Jack Viney back into the fray for the final. Dean Kent (injured) and Jay Kennedy Harris (omitted) are the two outs.
Geelong
The Cats are unchanged from the side that defeated the Gold Coast Suns in round 23.
Players to watch
Nathan Jones
It’s a massive game for veteran Nathan Jones, who has gone more than 250 games and 12 years since his last finals appearance. Jones was only 18 years-old when he played his last finals series, which included a win over St Kilda and a loss to Fremantle. Since then, Jones has forged a reputation as one of the game’s toughest midfielders and has played a massive role in leading the young side into September.
Tom Hawkins
Geelong key-forward Hawkins dismantled the Melbourne defence in round 18 at GMHBA Stadium, with seven goals for the game. He was key to Geelong winning that match, with four goals in the final quarter to help the Cats overturn a 29-point deficit early in the third quarter. Sam Frost and Oscar McDonald will likely go to the forward.
In the media
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on Geelong
"We're basically playing our brand in the biggest game we can possibly play in against Geelong. We go in knowing exactly what we're up against, we know exactly what style and brand we want to play so that holds no fears at all."
Geelong forward Tom Hawkins on Melbourne’s defenders
“I had Oscar McDonald down here in Geelong and played on him earlier in the season at the 'G. I had a little bit of Frost late (in Geelong), but I expect to probably get a little bit of both come Friday night. I had a really poor game and Oscar played really well in round one, I had no influence in the game. We attacked the game and I was involved a bit down here [in round 18]; it's sort of funny how it's worked out through the year.” via geelongcats.com.au
2018 encounters
R1: Geelong 14. 13 (97) def. Melbourne 13. 16 (94) at the MCG
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Parfitt 2, Ablett, Smith, Kelly, Ratugolea, Murdoch, C.Guthrie, Parsons, Fogarty
Melbourne: Hogan 3, Pedersen 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Petracca, Garlett, Gawn, Oliver, Hannan, Fritsch
BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Gawn, Oliver, Jones, Hogan, Lewis
Geelong: Selwood, Ablett, Menzel, Duncan, Parfitt, Kelly
R18: Geelong 16. 4 (100) def. Melbourne 14. 14 (98) at GMHBA Stadium
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 7, Dangerfield 2, Tuohy 2, Jones, Duncan, Henry, J Selwood, Kelly
Melbourne: T McDonald 4, Garlett 2, Melksham 2, Brayshaw, Spargo, Jones, Hogan, Gawn, Petracca
BEST
Geelong: Hawkins, Dangerfield, Kelly, Stewart, Blicavs, Ablett, Stanley
Melbourne: Oliver, T McDonald, Harmes, Petracca, Lewis, Brayshaw
Did you know…
- This will be Melbourne’s 71st final at the MCG. The Dees have a strong finals record at the ground, with 43 wins, 25 losses and 2 draws.
- Tom McDonald (143 games) and Nev Jetta (138 games) will play in their first career finals. In contrast, Jordan Lewis will play his 24th career final.
- Melbourne finished the season as the highest scoring team in 2018. Geelong were the best defensive team, conceding the least goals.
Head-to-head history
Total
Played: 216 games
Melbourne: 84 wins
Geelong: 130 wins
Drawn: 2 matches
In finals
Played: 10 games
Melbourne: 2 wins
Geelong: 8 wins
At the MCG
Played: 104 games
Melbourne: 51 wins
Geelong: 53 wins
Past decade
Played: 13 games
Melbourne: 1 win
Geelong: 12 wins
Biggest wins
Melbourne: 79 points (round 7, 1909 at the MCG)
Geelong: 186 points (round 19, 2011 at Kardinia Park)
Highest attendance
81,550 – round eight, 1963 at the MCG
