MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 32-point win over Fremantle at TIO Stadium on Saturday night …

1 – Seven up

Melbourne equaled its best result under Paul Roos, when it notched up its seventh win of the season. It shows the significant improvement in his time at the club, having arrived when the club had won two games in 2013. After winning four games in 2014 and seven last year, Roos is now just one win away from equaling its best result since 2006. If Melbourne notches at least nine wins this season, it will be the club’s best season since its most recent finals appearance 10 years ago.

2 – First win in NT since 2011

After winning its first two matches in Darwin in 2010-11, Melbourne entered round 16 having lost its past four matches at TIO Stadium. On top of that, the red and blue had also lost its three games at TIO Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs, meaning Melbourne had lost its past seven matches in the Northern Territory. But the win at Marrara Oval on Saturday night straightened up Melbourne’s Darwin record somewhat. It is not as disastrous as people may think, given it now has a 3-4 win/loss record in the Top End. With four more Territory games secured for 2017-18, and the team on the rise, it’s a great opportunity for Melbourne to continue to make an imprint in the NT.

3 – And first win over Freo since 2011

Melbourne notched up its first win over Fremantle since round 13, 2011 at the MCG, ending a seven-match losing streak at an average of 66.42 points per game.

4 – First half sets up win

Melbourne’s first half set up its victory, when it booted nine goals to three, including six in the first term. The red and blue’s 29-point lead at quarter-time was the catalyst in the end.

5 – Welcome back Jack and Mitch

Jack Grimes and Mitch White made impressive returns, playing their first match for the season. Grimes notched up 32 disposals – one shy of career-best figures – and White had a personal-best 20 touches in just his second AFL match. Key defender Tom McDonald said both players made an impact in the win. “We were just super rapt for Grimesy to get a chance as well. He’s done the same thing Whitey has done, but he’s a bit more experienced and he’s been sitting on 98 games, so I think he’s done enough to earn a spot for next week to get his 100^th. It was just good to see Jack, a former captain [play well]. Everyone loves him at the club and he does everything he can to prepare and play well. It was good to see him get his chance again and take it.” On White, McDonald said: “He’s probably been playing well enough to deserve a spot, but a lot of young guys are doing a great job as well. He’s just been unlucky, but he got his chance this week and did a really good job straight up. We’ve seem that all year – guys coming in and playing in the backline and getting the job done with no fuss. That gave us the confidence to do that.”

6 – A Rising Star nomination for Hunt?

On the back of an impressive performance against Adelaide, dashing half-back Hunt had another fine game, notching up a career-best 29 disposals against Freo. This included eight inside 50s and four rebounds. His run-and-carry was again a highlight of his game and he is right in the mix to earn a nomination this round or the coming weeks, joining teammates Clayton Oliver, James Harmes and Christian Petracca.  

7 – Hogan, Kent and Watts combine for 10 goals

Although Melbourne only had five goalkickers on the night, three made a genuine impact on the scoreboard, with Jesse Hogan booting four majors, Kent (three) and Watts (three). Nathan Jones and Aaron vandenBerg kicked one goal each. Tom McDonald said the two key forwards continued their fine form. “Wattsy’s in really, really good form and Hoges is as well, so to have the two of them there – they were crucial at times in the first half. They bobbed up again after half-time,” he said.

8 – Stats, stats and more stats won

Melbourne dominated the stats. Some of the key ones included 464 to 329 disposals, 148 contested possessions to 129, 307 uncontested possessions to 194, 90 tackles to 68, 35 clearances to 32, 67 inside 50s to 41 and 27 scoring shots to 15. 

9 – 12 Melbourne players win 20 disposals or more

Fremantle’s top ball-winner was Lachie Neale (33), with its next best being Stephen Hill and Cameron Sutcliffe (22 each). Connor Blakely and Hayden Crozier also were the only other Dockers to have 20 touches or more. Yet Melbourne had more than half of its players win 20 disposals or more. Those 12 players were: N.Jones (35), Grimes (32), T.McDonald (31), Dom Tyson (31), Matt Jones (30), Hunt (29), Jack Viney (29), Neville Jetta (26), James Harmes (23), vandenBerg (22), Hogan (20) and White (20).

10 – What the coach said …

“Overall it was [a] pleasing [win]. We were coming off a six-day break, and we haven't been able to do that too well this year, so there was a lot more to like than dislike about the game.” – Paul Roos