Max's 60m bomb stuns; Blues scare as key void exposed: AFL pre ...

Melbourne gets an opportunity to let its footy do the talking when it meets fellow flag contender Carlton in a huge semi-final rematch at Ikon Park to close out the clubs’ pre-seasons.

The Demons have endured a turbulent off-season including off-field drama and Angus Brayshaw’s shock retirement, but now hope to put their best foot forward on field. Simon Goodwin’s side will be without the likes of Clayton Oliver, who played in the VFL game, Harrison Petty, Lachie Hunter and recruit Shane McAdam.

The Blues will meanwhile be keen to bounce back from last week’s pre-season loss to Geelong ahead of a defining season for Michael Voss and company. Zac Williams, who also played in the VFL, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering and Jack Martin will be missing for Carlton.

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This match gets underway at 6.4pm0 AEDT from Ikon Park.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 6.30pm AEDT.

KEY UPDATES

In an early highlight, Max Gawn kicked the opening goal of the night with a long-range bomb from outside 60m to open the Demons’ account.

Harry McKay was busy early for Carlton, kicking its first goal and generally looking dangerous.

Melbourne had most of the play in the opening term though with the next two goals before Charlie Curnow steadied for Carlton with an unorthodox left foot snap set shot from point blank range.

Jesse Motlop came from the ground in the first term to receive treatment to his foot from medicos in another concern for the already undermanned Blues, who looked vulnerable down back without Jacob Weitering.

It was later confirmed by Blues stand-in coach Ashley Hansen that Motlop (foot) would take no further part in the game, with the club taking a conservative approach.

Gawn kicked a second goal on the quarter-time siren as the Dees took a 5.1 (31) to 2.0 (12) lead.

The Blues were more competitive in the second term, kicking two of the first three goals including McKay putting through his second.

But Melbourne quickly responded through top draft pick Caleb Windsor with an epic running goal to showcase his talent.

“Absolutely he does (play Opening Round),” Kangaroos legend David King said of Windsor on Fox Footy.

Bayley Fritsch took a big mark on Lewis Young’s shoulders but couldn’t convert the shot before hacing another shot some time later and kicking it into the man on the mark.

The Dees got on top later in the period in promising signs for Simon Goodwin’s troops, with Gawn dominant in the ruck.

“His tapwork has been extraordinary,” King said of Gawn. “This is an impressive performance from the Dees.”

TEAMS

Blues

B: Jordan Boyd, Lewis Young, Adam Saad

HB: Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman

C: Matthew Cottrell, Patrick Cripps, Oliver Hollands

HF: David Cuningham, Charlie Curnow, Blake Acres

F: Orazio Fantasia, Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop

FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Adam Cerra, Sam Docherty

I/C: Alex Cincotta, George Hewett, Elijah Hollands, Tom De Koning, Lachie Fogarty, Jaxon Binns, Billy Wilson, Lachlan Cowan

EMG: Ashton Moir, Jack Carroll, Harry Lemmey, Matthew Kennedy

Notable absentees: Corey Durdin, Jack Martin, Matt Owies, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Zac Williams

Demons

B: Adam Tomlinson, Steven May, Christian Salem

HB: Blake Howes, Jake Lever, Trent Rivers

C: Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Alex Neal-Bullen

HF: Christian Petracca, Bayley Fritsch, Bailey Laurie

F: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen, Kade Chandler

FOLL: Max Gawn, Jack Billings, Tom Sparrow

I/C: Judd McVee, Caleb Windsor, Jake Bowey, Josh Schache, Kynan Brown, Tom McDonald, Koltyn Tholstrup, Matthew Jefferson

EMG: Marty Hore, Will Verrall, Tom Fullarton, Taj Woewodin

Notable absentees: Lachie Hunter, Clayton Oliver, Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty, Charlie Spargo

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