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The Round 23 clash between Melbourne and Brisbane will be the “biggest home and away game we’ve ever seen”, according to Fox Footy’s David King as the Demons face a potential drop to sixth with a loss.
The reigning premiers face a challenging fortnight of Carlton at the MCG and then a trip north to the Gabba to take on fellow top four contender Brisbane.
That Friday night clash against the Lions could determine Melbourne’s fate before the finals have even begun.
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“I think the prize for finishing second is greater than ever this year, given how close the competition is,” King said on AFL360.
“Qualifying final into a home prelim final is massive. We know how hard it is to travel and win.”
King said Melbourne’s finals hopes could be all over if they lose at the Gabba.
“I think the biggest home and away game will be right before us on Friday night (in Round 23). If results go as we expect, as they are predicted to go, Melbourne go to the Gabba probably sitting in second spot on the table. If they lose that one, they fall to sixth. That is a huge fall,” he said.
“Would you back Melbourne if they finished sixth?
“They would have gone one and one the next couple of weeks, lost seven of their last 12 games going into a cut-throat final to win four in a row to win it.
“That’s why everyone’s on watch with these guys because it’s getting harder, and harder and harder to mount a case.
“Next Friday night will be the biggest home and away game we’ve ever seen.”
AFL360 co-host Gerard Whateley described the final two rounds as a game of “snakes and ladders”.
Only five clubs still remain in contention for a top two finish – with Geelong locked in, leaving four teams battling for one spot.
King went through the scenarios for each of the challenging teams to make it.
COLLINGWOOD: “They’ve just got to get the job done. Win their two games, lock away the MCG. Week one (finals), massive crowd. The prelim final crowd would be as big and one sided as the final of a few years ago between GWS and the Richmond footy club.”
MELBOURNE: “They need Collingwood to drop a game against Sydney or Carlton and just win both their games which is tough to do. They’ve got Brisbane in Brisbane in Round 23 but it’s doable for them.”
SYDNEY: No one’s really factoring this I don’t think – Sydney beat Collingwood this week and St Kilda next week. And Brisbane or Carlton beat Melbourne, which you’d say is the likely scenario in terms of favourites right now. So that would be huge if Sydney could stay in Sydney and go bang, bang and next time you see them, it’s at the MCG on grand final day.”
BRISBANE: “They’re a wildcard. They’ve got to get the job done against St Kilda this week and Melbourne in Round 23 and make up around three percent on the Swans. Three percent is not much so they need some strong wins and they need Collingwood to lose.”
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