CLASH OF HOUDINIS

In-form Dees, Swans in Friday night showdown

IT’S The Shawshank Redemption versus The Great Escape.

Football’s two greatest escape artists will collide on Friday night after twin heists within 24 hours.

But while Melbourne and Sydney can win from anywhere, the clash will also decide the in-form team of the competition.

The Demons were yesterday still wondering how they came from 17 points down in time-on against West Coast after Tom McDonald’s five-goal masterclass.

They have now won four games in a row and six of the past seven games, but were also licking their wounds after a bruising encounter.

Christian Salem and Jeff Garlett will miss Friday’s MCG clash with hamstring issues, while co-captain Jack Viney will have to play through pain to take the field.

Jesse Hogan is likely to return the following week, with Melbourne in no rush to hurry him back after McDonald’s successful emergence as a forward.

Sydney’s inexplicable escape came from 19 points down with four minutes remaining, another remarkable contest in a year of close contests.

Statistician Josh Kay says already 17 matches have been decided by 1-3 points, the most in history after eclipsing last year’s 15.

Champion Data says 21 matches have been decided by less than a goal by Round 14, beaten only by 1928’s total of 22 matches by the same stage.

Goodwin’s side has already overhauled large deficits against Adelaide and Gold Coast and watched Sydney’s win over Essendon closely.

“They were incredible games, weren’t they. They were probably similar positions but that is the way the competition is and it’s so tight and games are coming down to the last minutes of games,” he said.

“We have spent a fair bit of time in late-in-game scenarios.

“Early in the season we lost some close games and we have learnt from those experiences and seem to be executing in games a bit better.”

The Demons will soon be spoiled for forward choice given Watts’s potential return and Sam Weideman’s six goals in the VFL on Saturday.

The Demons will take on Sydney off their third consecutive six-day break.