MELBOURNE came away from its game against Brisbane on Sunday night without the four points but without any injuries either, and could go in unchanged against Port Adelaide on Thursday night.
The Demons won’t be forced into any changes but the four-day turnaround may see Simon Godwin consider giving some of his players rest, and there are no shortage of players putting their hands up to get into the side.
Among them is key forward Tom McDonald who will be at the top of the considerations after overcoming an eye injury.
McDonald booted four goals in a trial game last week and would test Port’s backline if he joined fellow talls Luke Jackson and Sam Weideman inside forward 50 for the Dees.
Former Giant Adam Tomlinson is another who has been close to selection in the last couple of weeks as an emergency in Rounds 6 and 7, while South Australian Alex Neal-Bullen will be hoping for his chance after being out of the side since Round 2.
Midfielder Aaron vandenBerg will miss the match as he continues his recovery from a fractured cheekbone but is expected to return for Melbourne’s next game against Adelaide.
Port Adelaide has won nine of the last eleven encounters between the sides including the last two and the game at the Gabba will be the seventh time they have met at a neutral ground with the teams playing three games at TIO stadium in Darwin (Port has won one) and three games at Traeger Park Alice Springs (Port has won all three).
The 13th placed Demons will name their side on Wednesday night for the against Port the following day.
