Melbourne must see where it needs to get to by playing Fremantle, but it still needs to tackle the challenge head on.
It simply has no other choice.
Taking on Fremantle on its home turf is one of football’s toughest challenges, given it has won 37 of its past 42 clashes at Subiaco since round 15, 2012.
But the match is just so critical for Melbourne for so many reasons, as Nathan Jones explained, following Melbourne’s 23-point in round 21.
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“When finals aren’t part of the equation for us, I think the next two weeks are the most important for the footy club – for the year – to be honest,” he told Dee TV.
“Irrelevant of the result, players are playing for their careers and it’s inevitable that there are going to be changes. We’re playing to get some momentum and strive for the quality of footy that we’re trying to play.
“That’ll give us the momentum for pre-season and I don’t think we can underestimate that. That’s what we’ll continue to do and [we’ll] continue to drive hard to the line. [We’ll] hold guys accountable and to high expectations.
“I think next week provides a great opportunity for the group to get away and play a team that we really respect and are trying to emulate.
“You never know what can happen.”
The odds will be well and truly against Melbourne, given it is coming up against one of the most ruthless sides in the competition.
And although Fremantle lost to an underrated North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday – for the record, the Kangaroos have now won seven in a row – the Dockers remain a genuine premiership contender, having dropped just four matches for the season, an outstanding result in anyone’s language.
For Melbourne, its recent encounters against Fremantle have been tough to say the least.
In their past five meetings, the Demons have scored no more than 50 points in a match against the Dockers.
And Melbourne has now lost its past six matches against Fremantle, with its most recent win coming at the MCG in round 13, 2011.
But on Sunday, the red and blue must show some grit and character.
As Jones quite rightly pointed out, this Sunday will give another insight into a team, which has defeated the likes of Geelong at the Cattery, beaten the now fifth-placed Richmond and accounted for Collingwood earlier in the month, yet has also dished up some infuriating performances.
What Melbourne team will show up in the west? Will it be the one we saw on the weekend, with another poor performance or will it be the one that can compete and even surprise? Quite simply, it must be one that shows absolute character for 120 minutes – regardless of the result.
The players must show fight – for the club, for the fans, for the coaches and ultimately for themselves.
