MELBOURNE will be without gun midfielder Jack Viney for Saturday’s important clash at the MCG.

The Demons enter Round 11 with a 5-5 record, just one win outside the top eight.

They will be looking to end a streak of 12 consecutive defeats to the Hawks, which dates back to Round 2, 2007.

While the Demons have an exciting young midfield full of talent, the in-form Viney will be a big loss.

The 22-year-old will miss with suspension, after receiving a one-week ban from the AFL Match Review Panel for striking, however he also has a fractured knucklebone which will keep him out of action for the next three to four weeks.

Viney has been one of the Demons’ standout performers in 2016 – he is ranked second at the club for disposals per game (26.1) and first for contested possessions (13.5), clearances (6.7) and tackles (7.2) per game.

Recent form 

Melbourne has had an up-and-down six weeks, recording three wins and three losses.

The Dees haven’t been able to win consecutive matches in that time. They convincingly beat Richmond (33 points), Gold Coast Suns (73 points) and Brisbane Lions (63 points), but lost to St Kilda (39 points), Western Bulldogs (32 points) and Port Adelaide (45 points).

Key players 

While Viney is a big loss, the Demons have a number of in-form players, none more so than ruckman Max Gawn – who has been arguably the competition’s leading ruckman in 2016. Gawn’s influence has been massive around the stoppages, with midfielders Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson all benefitting.

Forwards Jesse Hogan (26 goals) and Jack Watts (20 goals) have also posed a consistent threat around goal.

Potential changes 

Melbourne may be forced to make multiple changes.

With Viney out and Col Garland (cheekbone) also expected to miss, the likes of key forward Chris Dawes, key defender Lynden Dunn, midfielders Clayton Oliver and Viv Michie, and former co-captains Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes could all be in the mix.