Simon says it’s time to make it

MELBOURNE has been steeled for its finals fight and is determined to avoid last-minute heartbreak for a second year running.

The Demons sit sixth on the ladder with clashes against Gold Coast, Sydney, West Coast and Greater Western Sydney set to determine their fate over the next month.

Melbourne last year finished an agonising 0.49 per cent outside the final eight — the smallest margin to miss the finals in league history.

But coach Simon Goodwin is adamant his team is stronger for that experience and is “better prepared” for what the next four weeks could hold.

“Without a doubt,” he said yesterday. “Going through that experience before … everyone’s not naive. You can see the ladder, you can see how tight it is, and you can see how many games to go. Everyone’s predicting things.

“We understand the situation we’re in. But we just focus on what we can control and that’s just playing the best footy we can play.

“Going through that situation last year — it’s a very similar situation. We understand what comes with that. And I think the players are better prepared to go through it again.”

The club has not reached the finals since 2006 and must win at least two of its remain- ing four games to play in September, with the team’s percentage of 127.3 — the second-highest in the competition — set to play to its favour.

Melbourne is the highestscoring team in the competition and will take on the Suns — the competition’s lowestscoring outfit this year — at the MCG on Sunday, but Goodwin refuted the suggestion the match could present a further percentage-boosting opportunity.

Jake Melksham was ruled out of the clash because of a hamstring strain, with Dean Kent, Aaron vandenberg and Jayden Hunt all in the frame to return.

Goodwin said he had drawn on the Suns’ 22-point win over Sydney in Round 18 in his preparations.

“That gives us a great picture of what they look like at their best,” he said.

“That’s the game that we’re preparing for.”