After a brave win in the wet after being challenged by the Blues, Melbourne are 9-0 for the first time in 65 years.

The last time they did that?

They...

Were...

Premiers.

It hasn't just been beating up bottom sides either. A list of big scalps includes convincing wins over the reigning premiers, the Cats and Giants as they have paved the way to a sensational start to the season that cannot be ignored anymore.

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The last major home and away run was the great 2009 St. Kilda side, who went 19-0 before losing to Essendon in Round 20 by two points.

With the Demons currently flying under coach Simon Goodwin, it poses the question; Where will Melbourne's first loss come from? Here are the most likely matches that will end the Demons historic run:

Round 11 vs. Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)

The Bulldogs are arguably the most in-form side in the game, even more so than the Demons. After walking away with the W in one of the most feared road-trips in the competition, the Dogs will come into the Round 11 clash with big wins against the Blues, Port, and (most likely) Saints.

With the most potent midfield in the game, the Dogs have managed to dominate teams in the middle of the ground. In their Round 9 clash against Port, they managed to dominate the Power's engine room with +6 in clearances, +11 contested possessions and +44 disposals, all without their two primary ruckman.

Although it is unlikely that Stefan Martin will return in time for the clash due to a lingering achilles injury, Tim English should be ready to play the bulk of the minutes in the ruck. English will be a welcomed inclusion as he aims to contest and nullify Demons captain Max Gawn.

Although being up for the task against the tall forwards of the Tigers in Round 6, the Demons will struggle in juggling the three headed monster of Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce and English. With the added boost of energy by the likes of Mitch Hannan against his old side and Cody Weightman crumbing the tall timber, the Demons will do well to contain the Dogs from feasting when in the forward half.

The Dogs at Marvel will be Melbourne's biggest test for the season. Making the most of their forward opportunities will be vital, with big games from Tom McDonald and Bailey Fritsch a huge key to what looks like an enticing shootout.

Round 12 vs. Brisbane Lions (TIO Traeger Park)

Brisbane have won the last two clashes against the Demons, whilst also winning the last time the teams met at TIO Stadium in 2013. And that looks like it could be the case this season.

The Brisbane Lions are on fire. They have won six of their last seven games to storm their way into the top four. With their next two games at the Gabba against the Tigers and Giants, they look likely to enter the Demons clash winning their last seven games.

Despite losing 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale after requiring ankle surgery, the Lions midfield have dominated ever since. During their Round 9 win over Gold Coast, ex-Sun Jarryd Lyons made his old side pay dearly accumulating 37 disposals along with nine tackles and nine clearances. He hasn't been alone, as captain Dayne Zorko and emerging superstar Hugh McCluggage have both stood tall in Neale's absence.

Another key to the Lions' season turnaround after their first two rounds has been their defensive strengths - making scoring difficult for oppositions. They have limited their last five opponents to under 50% of scores per inside 50, with Essendon (37%), Carlton (43%), Port Adelaide (34%), Fremantle (48%) and Gold Coast (38%) all struggling against the Lions defence.

The past five games have also seen some great collective efforts by the Lions forward unit, piling on 93+ points in each win. Every forward is contributing, with a widespread number of goal kickers and threats equally contributing for Chris Fagan's side.

Over the last five games Charlie Cameron (14), Joe Daniher (9) and Eric Hipwood (9) have combined for 32 goals. And with Daniel McStay entering back in the forward line with four goals against the Suns, the elite Demons defence will be seriously under the pump.

The Round 12 clash with the Lions will be a huge test for the Demons. Simon Goodwin would look at both Round 11 and 12 as his side's real tests to remain undefeated, as they will struggle to win both back-to-back. The Lions look likely to be celebrating Melbourne's first defeat if the Demons manage to slog pass the Dogs.

Round 16 vs. GWS Giants (MCG)

The Giants would consider themselves a sneaky chance against the Demons after negating a less than ideal start of the year, winning four of their last six games. They will look likely to come into the Round 16 clash in winning form, with what can be assumed as wins against North Melbourne, Carlton and Hawthorn.

Since stepping into the role of stand-in captain, Toby Greene has been enormous for the Giants, putting together an All-Australian calibre season before injury. He should be back before his side's clash against Melbourne in Round 16, and will look to will his team once again to victory.

TOBY GREENE
Forward
GWS
2021 SEASON AVG
17.2
Disposals
4.3
Marks
2.5
Goals

Tim Taranto and Josh Kelly are starting to come back into form, with both being two of the Giants' best throughout the last three games. 179 disposals between the two over the last three games has been accompanied nicely by the inside bull Jacob Hopper and return of Lachie Whitfield.

The Giants' midfield has been able to stand tall in the absence of captain Stephen Coniglio, who will likely still be a couple weeks away when Round 16 arrives.

At the end of the day, maybe it all falls onto the shoulders of one man. Shane Mumford. In a crazy stat through the start of the first nine rounds of the season, GWS are undefeated when Mumford is playing, but have lost every game that he has been sidelined.

Whether he is a legitimate barometer for his side or not, there is no denying that GWS are a better side with him on the park. A matchup with the competition's best ruckman Max Gawn sets to be an exciting spectacle, with 'Mummy' providing the physicality and presence that might just get his side over the line.

Round 17 vs. Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval is one of the toughest road-trips in the game, with teams rarely returning home with the four points in the bag. The Western Bulldogs managed that feet last round, with a fast start helping them set the tone early, kicking five of the first six goals of the game.

Whilst it is possible, it is never an easy task. Even for the best.

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Melbourne have lost the last three against the Power, whilst only beating them once at Adelaide Oval since 2002 (R18, 2017). History is prone to repeating itself on many occasions, but of all years Melbourne seem destined to break the hoodoo in 2021.

Port Adelaide have been one of the teams leading the competition through the past season and a half. They were on the top of the ladder from start to finish, and were merely one goal shy of reaching the final game of the year.

2021 has been a more difficult year of sorts. They have well and truly bullied the bottom sides, but have struggled significantly against top-eight sides, going 1-3 in matches against those sitting in the eight.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Jack Viney of the Demons walks from the field at half time during the round 14 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval on June 22, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

The 2020 minor premiers have something to prove in the back half of the season, with a lot of questions needing answers quickly, and believe me when I say that they have Round 17 marked in their calendar as a huge opportunity to prove themselves against the league's very best.

With an electric mix of young talent and wise veterans at every position, Port Adelaide have still got plenty of relevance in 2021. Scott Lycett will battle with Gawn at the bounce. Ollie Wines and Travis Boak will lead a cohort of young guns in the middle against Clayton Oliver and Brownlow hopeful Christian Petracca.

Captain Tom Jonas will command the back half whilst the menacing Charlie Dixon will work in tandem with Mitch Georgiades to keep Steven May and Jake Lever's hands full. And you can bet your house that Robbie Gray will stand up in the big moments.

Port will look to put the Demons behind prison bars, making a statement to the competition by bullying the top of the table newcomers on their home deck.

WILD CARD: Round 10 vs. Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

This round, the Demons look to keep their unbeaten run alive in what will be quite an unassuming matchup against the bottom four Crows.

Although losing their last five games, the very reason they started the season 3-1 was because they were unassuming. Everyone anticipated them to be the same pushovers they were in 2020, but Matty Nicks has has been able to develop a young side into a competitive side in merely a season.

Who would've thought a solid off-season could be so important? It's enough to make 2018 Crows supporters lose their "Collective Minds"...

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The Crows have come off a hard fought effort against the Eagles in Perth, another road trip that rarely provides the fruits of its labor. Although losing by five goals, a second-quarter clinic from Jack Darling was all the difference between the two sides, who were largely goal for goal for the rest of the contest.

The Crows are heavy outsiders against the Demons this weekend, but with former captain and top-five goal-kicker Tex Walker coming back after a week rested, there is every chance that the pressures of undefeated footy catchup to Melbourne and they trip on what seems the easiest and most unassuming of hurdles.