Escape artists emerge to tackle each other Demons licking wounds

IT’S Shawshank Redemption versus The Great Escape.

Football’s two greatest escape artists will collide on Friday night less than a week after their twin heists.

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 wondering how they came from 17 points down in time on after Tom McDonald’s fivegoal masterclass. They have 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 the MCG clash due to hamstring issues, while co-captain Jack Viney will have to play through pain to take the field.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin said Viney’s AC joint injury would be assessed during the week despite a 26-contested possession display.

Viney returned to the ground and said yesterday he would be fit to play.

Goodwin said Jack Watts would also be available despite hamstring soreness.

Jesse Hogan is likely to return the following week and Melbourne are in no hurry to rush him back after McDon- ald’s emergence as a forward.

Sydney came from 19 points down with four minutes remaining – another remarkable contest in a year of close contests.

Statistician Josh Kay said already 17 matches have been decided by one to three points – the most in history after eclipsing last year’s 15.

Champion Data said 21 matches had been decided by under 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,” Goodwin said.

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

Viney said yesterday he was sore but should play next week.

“(I’m) not too bad. I got a bit of a whack in the third quarter and had it strapped up.,” he said.

“I pulled up pretty well. Hopefully I will be fresh for Friday night.”