Dees target stronger start against Freo

Melbourne's Max Gawn faces the toughest rucking challenge in the AFL when he battles Fremantle beanpole Aaron Sandilands in Darwin.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out AFL club Melbourne's focus this week.

The Demons kicked the opening goal of last Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs, only to then give up seven consecutive goals.

Coach Paul Roos lashed the sluggish start as "diabolical" and "horrible".

It's a mistake that proved costly in the six-point defeat, and something they're keen to avoid in Saturday's match against Fremantle in Darwin.

"It was a poor start and the Bulldogs jumped us last round," ruckman Max Gawn told the club website.

"I don't care who you are - six goals down halfway through the second quarter is going to be hard to win."

The Demons' second home game in the Northern Territory this season will be an important milestone for two Dockers.

Small forward Hayden Ballantyne will play his 100th match, while Anthony Morabito is back after undergoing three career-threatening knee reconstructions.

Gawn's main concern at TIO Stadium will be Fremantle's beanpole behemoth Aaron Sandilands.

"They've got a fair advantage with Sandilands in the ruck, so we're hoping to halve that contest," midfielder Bernie Vince told the AFL website on Friday.

"Certainly our rucks are going to have their work cut out.

"This year they've probably got a lot of dominance (from Sandilands), more so than other years (when) they've won a lot of the hit-outs and teams have been able to take the ball away."

Gawn said his ruck partnership with Mark Jamar was a work in progress, especially given both big men suffered injuries earlier this year.

"In terms of percentages, it's 70 per cent Russian (Jamar) in the ruck and 30 per cent me in the ruck. I'm still a bit young," he said.

"If we can work on that (to be) 50-50 a little more, it could be a good ruck combination."

The Dockers were dealt a blow on Friday with the late withdrawal of Stephen Hill, but they're still expected to bank the four premiership points with ease.


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