This Saturday’s clash between Gold Coast and Melbourne at Metricon Stadium sees two of the premier emerging key forwards of our great game go head to head in the form of Tom Lynch v Jesse Hogan.

Lynch has surfaced as one of 2016’s success stories with the 23-year-old kicking 24 goals in the first six rounds to lead the Coleman Medal race.

21-year-old Hogan has 16 goals to his name so far this season and was outstanding in the Demons’ loss to St Kilda last week, booting seven goals in a losing side.

SUNS coach Rodney Eade believes the key to nullifying Hogan’s impact is by winning the contest in the midfield in order to reduce the West Australian’s opportunities in front of goal.

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“He’s obviously in good form but St Kilda did it very well by having everyone contribute and winning in the midfield,” Eade told United Coaches Chat.

“So the less chances, the less time the ball goes up there, the less time there’s chances for him to kick goals.

“Sam Day’s been in reasonable form. Unfortunately he was injured last week so really exposed us in a big way last week with him and [Trent] McKenzie being off, but he’s recovered well so hopefully he can have a good performance on the weekend.”

The SUNS engine room has been beaten over recent weeks and faces another big challenge against Melbourne, led by their ruckman Max Gawn, who has become one of the best big men in the competition, and workhorses Jack Viney and Nathan Jones.

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The Demons lead the AFL in centre clearances thanks to Viney (30 clearances, 1st in the AFL) and Jones (15 clearances, 17th) and the SUNS will be looking for increased output from the likes of captain Gary Ablett and Jesse Lonergan.

“We’ve been down in that area for a few weeks now, it hasn’t been a strength of ours so we need to get back to what we know best in there,” Eade said.

“Obviously [Michael] Rischitelli out, our midfield has got a few players out that are good in that area.

“It’s a big job for Dan Currie too on Max Gawn. Max Gawn really gives them first look at the ball so we’ve got to at least neutralise that in there and make it a 50-50 contest.”