MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Alex Neal-Bullen of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 14, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon says this weekend's battle against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium is the ideal test for the Demons.
Simon Goodwin's side are running hot after a two-game winning streak, but Lyon has detailed why Saturday night's contest in Geelong is exactly what Melbourne needs.
“If you want to talk specifics about this club, this game is perfect,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“It’s come along at the perfect time. They’ve been kicked around because they weren’t able to win games like Collingwood at Queen’s Birthday – they failed that test.
“They got back in some form with some easier kills against Freo and the Western Bulldogs. You wouldn’t want to be playing Gold Coast this week.
“You’ve drawn breath, you’ve got back, you’ve reconfirmed that you can play, but now we need to test it.
“I think they’re the perfect side to test Melbourne.
“I would be tipping Geelong this weekend because Melbourne haven’t demonstrated this year their ability to cope and deal with teams that are inside the eight.”
A win could see Melbourne jump up into third if results go their way, while they could fall one spot to seventh if they lose.