MELBOURNE and Carlton enter the finals series coming from different directions but now on equal footing in a do-or-die wildcard final. 

The Demons defied expectations from the early rounds under first-year coach Steven King to quickly rise into finals contention and push for a double chance. The Dees let their grip on a top-six spot slip with a costly round 24 defeat to the Bulldogs and will now have to take the longer route through September after being the first side to finish seventh and face the wildcard round. 

The Blues left their run toward the finals much later in a campaign that started with one win in their first nine matches and saw the end of coach Michael Voss' tenure. But a stunning turnaround with 11 wins and a draw in their next 14 matches under caretaker-turned-contracted coach Josh Fraser was enough to lock in a wildcard place with one round remaining.

Melbourne has been hit hard by injuries at the worst time of year with key pillars Jake Lever and Matt Jefferson both in a race against time to be fit for the wildcard clash at the same time as spearhead Jacob van Rooyen is suspended. Carlton recruit Will Hayward has been critical to the side's resurgence but faces a fitness test this week, while Nick Haynes is expected to return after overcoming an ankle issue.

Where and when: MCG, Saturday August 29, 7.35pm AEST

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

Round 3: Carlton 11.11 (77) lost to Melbourne 15.10 (100) at the MCG

Melbourne gave an early glimpse of what was to come in its surprise rise up the ladder, while Carlton set the tone for the first half of its season when it coughed up what would usually be a match-winning advantage. The Blues booted the first seven goals of the game to open up as much as a 43-point lead as the Demons only booted their first major on the cusp of the main break. But the newly free-flowing Demons were not done yet, as they piled on 14 goals in the second half with Kysaiah Pickett leading the charge from the midfield. The dynamo gathered 19 disposals, five clearances and a goal during the second half to help turn the game in what became the first of the Blues' seven consecutive defeats that would cost Voss his job.

THE STATS THAT MATTER

Melbourne

The Demons surpassed most expectations this season on their way to claiming 15 wins while playing a more eye-catching and damaging brand of football than in recent years. Faster ball movement especially when rebounding out of defence has lifted Melbourne to a No.4 ranking for inside 50s and No.5 for inside 50 differential as their games are more often played in their forward half. But the Demons were handed a reminder that they still need to make the most of their opportunities when they finished +9 for inside 50s against the Bulldogs in a frustrating defeat last week. 

Carlton

The Blues looked more likely to earn the wooden spoon than a wildcard spot when they sat 16th with a 1-8 record before Fraser was handed the reins. A shift away from a combative gameplan toward a more free-flowing style has seen Carlton become the No.2-ranked side for transitioning the ball from the defensive 50 to the forward 50 in the 15 rounds since the new coach took charge. The swift ball movement has helped turn the Blues into the form side of the competition with 11 wins and a draw in their past 14 matches the best record of all teams in that time.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR ...

Melbourne

The Demons surged back into contention off the back of an exciting new brand of football that helped them become the fourth-highest scoring team in the competition. But there are mounting concerns over whether King's side can score as heavily with a forward line missing the suspended Jacob van Rooyen (42 goals) and potentially injured youngster Matt Jefferson (18). The Demons will need the in-form Harrison Petty (25) and a revitalised Bayley Fritsch (35) to shoulder the load as focal points in attack. Veteran Tom McDonald (2) could even be called on to return to a forward role just as he played when the Demons broke through for a premiership five years ago.

Carlton

The Blues' onball brigade was seen as central to their problems during a woeful start to the season with criticism suggesting it was too one-paced and lacking in dynamism. But with Sam Walsh back to his tireless best and hurting the opposition more with each disposal, and Jagga Smith arguably the best young midfielder in the league, Carlton now looks like a different side. Captain Patrick Cripps continues to lead the way as a contested beast and George Hewett has proven the doubters wrong since being backed by Fraser, as the Blues finally have the midfield balance and game plan to challenge the better teams.

PREDICTION

Melbourne began the season as an ultra-attacking early surprise packet but Carlton grabbed the momentum through the second half of the year with its own blistering ball movement. The Demons have been banged up in recent weeks and will miss Jacob van Rooyen as they turn to a make-shift forward line, while the Blues are the hottest team in the competition and have few injury concerns. Carlton by seven points.