Dees out for Freo revenge as AFL finals race heats up
Melbourne are hell-bent on “revenge” against Fremantle for their Alice Springs humiliation, as they seek to re-establish their AFL premiership credentials.
Thrashed by the Dockers to the tune of 92 points seven weeks ago, Simon Goodwin’s men head west with the embarrassing display still fresh in the memory.
The Demons have been buoyed by recent wins over Essendon and West Coast, which emerging midfield star Trent Rivers described as “massive” for their finals chances.
But another huge test lies ahead at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
“We need to get some revenge back on Freo for the pantsing that they gave us last time,” Rivers told AAP.
“We’re definitely going to come with a strong game plan and hopefully get on top of them.”
Melbourne coughed up 141 points to the Dockers in Alice Springs – the highest score conceded in Goodwin’s eight-year tenure.
In short, just about everything went wrong.
“That was not our brand of footy and I think going into this game we’re going to be ready for what they’re going to bring,” Rivers said.
“Freo are a great team, they’re sitting in the top four, so it’s going to be a great contest.
“It’s a tight competition and every four points that we get on the board is massive in the end.”
Key forwards Jacob van Rooyen and Harry Petty combined well in the ruck last week against Essendon’s Sam Draper, with No.1 tap-man Max Gawn out injured.
Now they face Fremantle duo Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson in what looms as a crucial battle.
Darcy is back from a week out with concussion, while Melbourne again overlooked off-season recruit Tom Fullarton in favour of their part-time ruck options.
“Draper’s an unreal ruckman but the impact that they (van Rooyen and Petty) both had on that game as ruckmen and as forwards probably set us up to win (last week),” Rivers said.
“We’re used to having Max Gawn in there but with the way they compete we knew we were going to have a good fight on our hands and they definitely brought that (against Essendon).
“I’m backing them in to get the result again.”
Rivers has emerged as a midfield force since that last Fremantle encounter, after gun on-baller Christian Petracca’s season ended early through injury.
The 22-year-old, who started the year in his customary role at half-back, has averaged 25 disposals, five clearances and five tackles a game over the past month.
“Unfortunately for ‘Trac’ he went out and it gave me an opportunity,” Rivers said.
“I’m really enjoying my time in the midfield.
“I think I’ve stepped up my game and I’m playing the role I need to play for the team.”
As well as Darcy, Fremantle have been bolstered by the return of captain Alex Pearce (arm) and Brandon Walker (shoulder) from injuries.
Melbourne recalled Jack Billings, with Taj Woewodin left out and Gawn likely to return against GWS in round 20.
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