The changes
Melbourne has made three changes to the side which beat the Gold Coast Suns last week.
Draftee Sam Weideman will debut for the Demons this week, with fellow first-year player Clayton Oliver and Tomas Bugg also coming into the side.
Weideman was taken with pick nine in last year’s NAB AFL Draft and has kicked 20 goals for Casey in the VFL so far this season.
Former Magpie Chris Dawes, Josh Wagner and Matt Jones all make way.
What to expect
Melbourne have continued their gradual development in 2016 under experienced coach Paul Roos, blooding a number of young players and continuing to add young talent to their list.
Their attack has definitely been the big area of improvement over the last two years.
After averaging 61 points per game in 2014, the Demons increased that to 72 points in 2015 and are now averaging 91 points per game in 2016 – effectively an extra five goals per game compared to 2014 while not conceding any extra scores to their opposition.
Their form as a team has been up and down this year, only winning back-to-back games for the first time since 2011 in Rounds 4 and 5 this year.
Melbourne’s midfield is developing some real class, with Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson leading the way alongside youngsters Angus Brayshaw, Christian Petracca and James Harmes.
Max Gawn has elevated himself to one of the best big men in the game, regularly dominating the ruck and giving his onballers first use around the stoppages.
All of Melbourne’s wins in 2016 have come when they score more than 80 points (the exception being last week when they kicked 66 points against the Suns), so that is the magic number for the Hawks to keep them under this week.
Players to watch
Jack Viney is one of the toughest players in the competition and certainly a captain in waiting behind Nathan Jones.
The hard-nosed midfielder is averaging over 26 disposals per game in 2016 and is leading the Demons out of what has been a tough period in terms of results.
Bernie Vince has been an inspired pickup for the Dees since crossing from Adelaide and is having another good season in the midfield.
The Hawks will need to pay close attention to both of these players on Saturday.
