SUMMARY
The SUNS and Demons are just outside the top eight and meet at a crucial part of their respective seasons, coming off demoralising losses just seven days earlier. The SUNS are battling injury concerns to their midfield and backline but still have the competition's leading goalkicker in Tom Lynch and one of its best players in Gary Ablett. The exciting Demons have one of the best young midfields in the competition and will be looking to get on top there to provide young spearhead Jesse Hogan with plenty of chances inside 50. The winner of this one will keep themselves right in the thick of the finals mix.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, May 7, 5.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2015, Melbourne 17.13 (115) d Gold Coast Suns 13.11 (89) at the MCG
R5, 2014, Gold Coast 11.20 (86) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at Metricon Stadium
R20, 2013, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Melbourne 10.17 (77) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2013, Gold Coast 16.18 (114) d Melbourne 7.12 (54) at the MCG
R19, 2012, Melbourne 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 9.12 (66) at the MCG
THE FIVE POINTS
1. Melbourne won the majority of stats categories when the teams played last year, leading the disposals 347-301, marks 98-80, tackles 66-53 and inside 50s 52-47. Nathan Jones was best on ground with 25 disposals.
2. This game will feature two of the best young key forwards in the game, with Gold Coast's Tom Lynch leading the competition's goalkicking with 24 and Jesse Hogan fresh off a career-high bag of seven goals against St Kilda.
3. Gold Coast and Melbourne will meet for the eighth time, with the Demons holding a narrow 4-3 advantage.
4. The Demons have been a strong contested marking team in 2016, ranked third with 13.8 a game, compared to the struggling SUNS, who are ranked 15th with 9.8 a game.
5. Melbourne is the number one centre clearance team this season, averaging 15.8 a game. With 12.7, the SUNS are ranked equal 12th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jarrod Harbrow. The likeable SUNS defender becomes the first player to reach 100 games in Gold Coast colours. After being recruited from the Western Bulldogs when the new franchise began in 2011, Harbrow has been reliable, resilient and dependable through the SUNS' first five seasons. He'd love to cap the milestone with a win.
