MELBOURNE's deserved win over Adelaide has given its fans some renewed hope ahead of the clash with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night. The Demons registered their second win of the season against the Crows, showing the fight and necessary verve to get over the line in a tight contest. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have hit a roadblock, dropping their past three games. Sitting at 2-5, and at a critical juncture in their season, the Dogs need to make a statement. The game will also support the Field of Women cause, with 15,000 people forming the shape of the 'Pink Lady' to represent the number of women and men who will be told they have breast cancer in 2014.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday May 10, 7.40pm AEST

 

 

R23, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) d Melbourne 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium

R14, 2013, Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) at the MCG

R4, 2012, Western Bulldogs 13.10 (88) d Melbourne 9.13 (67) at the MCG

R15, 2011, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Melbourne 8.15 (63) at Etihad Stadium

R7, 2010, Western Bulldogs 10.10 (70) d Melbourne 9.12 (66) at the MCG

 

1. The Demons have made vast defensive improvement this season, conceding an average of just 78 points per game this season. That has been lowered from an average of 122 points per game in 2013.

2. However, the Demons have taken a hit offensively with their average points for dipping to 56 per game. In 2013, Melbourne's average score was 66 points a game.

3. The Demons are ranked second-last in in the competition for inside 50s this season with an average of 40 entries per game. The Western Bulldogs are ranked 12th with an average of 51 inside 50s a game. 

4. The Bulldogs are ranked fifth in the League for clearances with 41.5 per game, while the Demons are last in the competition with 32.5 clearances a game.

5. At the MCG there have been 70 previous meetings, with 44 wins to 26 in Melbourne's favour. But the Bulldogs have won four of the past five contests at the venue.

6. Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen is trending upward in the Official AFL Player Ratings, coming in at No.9 in the competition. Melbourne counterpart Nathan Jones remains his club's strongest performer, but slots in at No. 114 in the League.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 17 points