IT'S ONE of the biggest challenges in football but Melbourne's chances of upsetting Fremantle could be shot if the Demons can't limit Aaron Sandilands' influence in the ruck, midfielder Bernie Vince says.
The Demons head into Saturday night's clash at Darwin's TIO Stadium as rank outsiders against the in-form Dockers.
Fourth-placed Freo has strung together six-straight wins, while the Dees will be aiming to snap a two-game losing run.
But to do that, Melbourne can't allow Sandilands free reign.
The 211cm ruckman is the competition's No.2 ranked player for hit-outs and his imposing combination with Zac Clarke is a major reason behind Freo rediscovering its groove.
The Dockers lead the League for hit-outs (54 per game) and are ranked fourth for stoppages (27.2) this season.
Demons duo Mark Jamar and Max Gawn compare relatively favourably in hit-outs (45.4, ranked 5th), but Melbourne is the competition's second-worst stoppage side (23.2).
The Dees are the AFL's worst side at winning clearances (32.9) and centre clearances (9.7).
With Darwin's slippery and humid conditions expected to increase as the match wears on it could mean more stoppages, which Vince said could favour Freo.
"They've got a fair advantage with Sandilands in the ruck so we're hoping to halve that contest," Vince told reporters on Friday.
"I think it will be won in the midfield. Hopefully we can calm his influence a little bit and get a first look in there.
"But certainly our rucks are going to have their work cut out and us midfielders reading off his hands.
"This year they've probably got a lot of dominance, more so than other years (when) they've won a lot of the hit-outs and teams have been able to take the ball away.
"I think they've got it pretty right this year where they've got some dominance from the actual clearances.
"Whoever plays the game in their half will win. Once they get it in their half it's hard to get it out, that's why the centre bounce and stoppages are so important for us."
Vince said the conditions could see a "wet-weather style" game, but added that wouldn't necessarily equate to a slog between the two defensive sides.
"It's amazing if we get our key indicators – our tackles and contested ball and stuff up – how much easier it is to score, we've worked out," Vince said.
"If we get those things right I'm sure you'll see a more high-scoring game.
"(Fremantle's) a side we probably emulate a lot and want to be like. So it's a perfect game for us to play them up here and we'll certainly be having a crack."
The match marks the return of Docker Anthony Morabito after three consecutive left knee reconstructions and 1394 days since his last AFL game.
"I think that's good for footy," Vince said.
"To see him out for so long and persevere…even though they're opposition player you never want to see a player miss that long so good luck to him coming back, but I hope we beat them."
