ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE

Venue AAMI Stadium
Date Sunday, May 18 Time 12.40pm
Head to head Adelaide 16 Melbourne 9 Drawn 2
Last time Melbourne 13.11 (89) bt Adelaide 10.12 (72) R10, 2007, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet: Adelaide $1.06 Melbourne $7.50 Centrebet: Adelaide $1.09 Melbourne $7.35

Melbourne
Backs: Frawley Garland Bell
Half-backs: Bartram Rivers Bruce
Centres: Green McLean Bate
Half-forwards: Morton Robertson Moloney
Forwards: Davey Miller Wonaeamirri
Followers: White McDonald Jones
Interchange: From: Bode Buckley Carroll Jamar P Johnson Valenti Warnock
In: Buckley Bode P Johnson Valenti
Out: Wheatley (calf) New: Shane Valenti, 21, Sandringham

Summary Melbourne must have been gutted the week's break came just after they had produced a performance which will go down in Demons folklore against Fremantle. But a trip to Adelaide to play the Crows is likely to bring them back to earth quick-smart. The blokes in red, blue and gold are sliding under the radar seven rounds into the season, getting the job done to win five of seven. Brett Burton and Simon Goodwin have 40 goals between them this year, while Jason Porplyzia is blossoming into an out-and-out star. The Demons would have been thrilled Aaron Davey returned to form against the Dockers. He and Austin Wonaeamirri are excitement machines and give Melbourne a focal point for the future, but it is hard to see the Demons backing up against a Crows side looking a realistic top four team.

Key Melbourne's midfield will have a tough day out against Adelaide's led by Scott Thompson and Tyson Edwards.

Tip Adelaide by 38 points