Summary

Undoubtedly, Melbourne’s best win so far this year was this weekend’s win over the Adelaide Crows. Trailing by 28 points at the 18-minute mark of the second term – after Adelaide piled on six unanswered goals – the signs looked ominous for Melbourne. But when Tom Bugg kicked his first at the 19-minute mark of the second quarter, the pendulum soon swung Melbourne’s way – massively. The Demons kicked 15 of the remaining 18 goals to record a stunning 41-point victory. Melbourne’s 69-point turnaround was one of its finest wins in years, particularly against the ladder leaders. Melbourne has now evened the ledger with a 4-4 win/loss record.

The stat

Adelaide’s score of 9.12 (66) was its second lowest score under coach Don Pyke in 32 matches. The Crows averaged 113 points per game in 2016 and entering round eight, averaged 127 points per match this year. Adelaide’s only lower score under Pyke was 7.13 (55) against Geelong at the Cattery in round 18, last year.

Leather poisoning

Michael Hibberd had a team-high 34 disposals, as Adelaide’s Rory Laird had the most possessions for the match with 37.

The number

11 – disposals was how many Rory Sloane had against Melbourne. An outstanding player in the competition, the Adelaide star hadn't had so few disposals since his third AFL game, back in round 10, 2010 against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. But his former teammate Bernie Vince, celebrated his 200th AFL match in style, with a brilliant tagging job on Sloane.

Experience differential

Games: Adelaide Crows (2186) v Melbourne (1873)

Goals: Adelaide Crows (1756) v Melbourne (1087)

Average age: Adelaide Crows (25 years, 167 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 291 days)

Did you know …

Melbourne has won its past two matches at Adelaide Oval by a total of 81 points, remembering that last year, the Demons defeated Port Adelaide by 40 points in round 21. Overall, Melbourne has won three of its six games at Adelaide Oval, by an average margin of 28 points. It has lost its three games at the venue by an average losing margin of 12 points.

3 votes: Michael Hibberd

Outstanding four quarter performance. Hibberd started with a bang, winning 12 disposals in the first term and was pivotal when Melbourne was under pressure in the second quarter. He kept repelling from defence and won a team-high nine intercepts. Hibberd also gained a match-best 674 metres. His 34 disposals were a personal best.  

2 votes: Clayton Oliver

‘Clarry’ continued his outstanding season with another 30 disposals (15 contested and 15 uncontested). It was the fifth time this season has had won 30 possessions or more in a match. He also put his name up there for goal of the year, with a remarkable banana kick from the pocket in the third quarter.  

1 vote: Bernie Vince

Probably the toughest 3-2-1 votes to give all season, given so many Melbourne players could’ve easily been among the votes. But Vince's ability to keep one of this year's Brownlow Medal fancies, Rory Sloane, in check, was critical in Melbourne's win. It was the fourth lowest disposal count for Sloane in 149 games. The other three times were his first three AFL games. 

Submit your 3-2-1 votes to the Hertz Fans’ MVP

Apologies to …

Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, Cam Pedersen, Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald and Christian Salem who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Dean Kent bounce back with a couple of goals after spending the past three weeks in the VFL. Kent claimed 19 touches and landed two majors in the final term. His first major put Melbourne in front by 39 points at the seven-minute mark of the final term and from that point, it was all but curtains for the Crows.

Oppo’s best: Rory Laird

A flip of the coin between Laird and ruckman Sam Jacobs, who smashed a whopping 74 hit outs. But Laird was arguably Adelaide's strongest across four quarters, and he was the standout when the Crows kicked five in a row in the second term. He had 13 disposals in the second quarter and finished with 13 contested possessions, 13 intercepts and a goal.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Bernie Vince chats with his team mates pre-match in the locker room

Video of the day

Instagram of the round

What a win. Go Melbourne! #RaiseHell #AFLCrowsDees

A post shared by Melbourne Football Club (@melbournefc) on

Tweet of the day

In the mix

Speedster Jayden Hunt (concussion) will be monitored after crunching into Crow Sam Jacobs. Jesse Hogan was a late withdrawal, due to illness. James Harmes (41 disposals) and Alex Neal-Bullen (35) had outstanding matches for Casey and are likely to be around the mark. Otherwise, it could be a relatively stable side at this stage, with minimal changes for next week. Jay Kennedy-Harris, Billy Stretch and Jack Trengove are others around the mark.

Next round

Melbourne returns to the MCG next Sunday for its clash against North Melbourne. The Demons will enter as red-hot favourites, but they need to overcome their longest remaining hoodoo – defeating the Kangaroos for the first time since 2006. After whittling away a host of bad records, this one remains. And while coach Simon Goodwin has made sure that this is a new era, it is a record the club will want to nip in the bud. The Kangas have a 2-6 win/loss record, but have dropped three matches by a total of just nine points. Melbourne will be brimming with confidence after its brilliant win on the road, but it must back it up this weekend. It will be another strong test as it continues its climb.

In the press box …

The local media was all over it when the game was officiated by just two field umpires, following the injury to Craig Fleer early in the second term, after crunching heads with Bernie Vince. His replacement was Rowan Hundertmark, who came on the ground, but was later forced from the field with a leg injury. Coach Simon Goodwin wasn’t aware that there were two field umpires when he spoke to the media post-match, but as soon as it happened, the journos were all over it in the press box.  

Saw in the rooms ...

Neil Diamond would’ve yelled out ‘Good Lord’ if he had have heard the Melbourne boys belting out their rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ post-match. It was sung with gusto in the changerooms, after they started off with ‘It’s a Grand Old Flag’. Big music fan Jack Watts can take a lot of the credit for pushing the 1969 classic. As Bernie Vince summed up post-match, “Jack loves singing that song”.

Song to sum up match

Right on Track – The Breakfast Club

Simon Says …

“I just thought the boys were terrific. To be 28 points down and to fight back and to win like that was really pleasing.” – Simon Goodwin