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AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
Crucial match for the Demons
MELBOURNE: The hard
charging Melbourne side faces a
crucial test today when it plays a
revitalised Geelong at home in
the VFL match of the day at
Kardinia Park, Geelong.
Melbourne, with seven wins
from eight rounds, has advanced
to fourth place on the ladder and
Geelong is close behind in sixth
place, trailing on percentage.
Today's match means that the
two sides will virtually be playing
for a berth in the finals.
And while Melbourne's reccnt
form has been daunting, the Cats
have corncrcd the home-ground
advantage with the return of sev
eral key players.
Geelong coach Tom Hafey
said Gary Ablett's positioning on
a half-forward flank instead of
the wing was not unusual as he
had played half forward.
Hafey's hopes of the move
being successful stem from
Ablett's form in Perth on Tues
day when he kicked eight goals
for Victoria.
And Gary Malarkey is back at
fullback.
Melbourne has regained
Brownlow Medallist Brian
Wilson and winger Alan John
son, both after injuries.
But there has been a question
mark over the fitness of ruckman
Peter Moore, captain Robert
Flower and defender Stephen
Icke.
Flower appears to have re
covered from a back injury and
Melbourne promotions director
Cameron Schwab said Icke and
Moore presented "no problem".
In the other two matches.
North Melbourne has a good
chance of beating Collingwood at
the MCG and Carlton should
have too much firepower for St
Kilda at Moorabbin.
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