Summary

In all the recent ‘hoodoo’ breaking/critical victories since the Paul Roos/Simon Goodwin era started in 2014, wins over Adelaide (round seven, 2014), Geelong (round 12, 2015), Collingwood (round 18, 2015), Fremantle (round 16, 2016), Hawthorn (round 20, 2016), Port Adelaide (round 21, 2016), St Kilda (round one, 2017), Adelaide (round eight, 2017), Gold Coast Suns (round 10, 2016) and Western Bulldogs (round 13, 2017) spring to mind. Melbourne either defeated those teams for the first time in years or won at grounds they hadn’t for quite some time. But after the red and blue’s epic three-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on Saturday night, Melbourne might’ve just recorded its greatest win in more than a decade. Not only did the Demons snap a nine-game losing streak against the Eagles, they recorded their first win over them since round 14, 2009 – and their first victory over West Coast in the west since 2002. It was a phenomenal win and one that will be talked about by the red and blue faithful for years.

The stat

11 lead changes occurred to decide this brilliant match. And at the 17-minute mark of the final term, when Lewis Jetta kicked a behind for the Eagles, West Coast led by 16 points – the biggest lead of the match. But when Cam Pedersen took an outstanding pack mark and converted at the 19-minute mark, and Tom McDonald kicked two in a row, including the match-winner, with less than 30 seconds on the clock, Melbourne claimed victory.

Leather poisoning

Jack Viney had a game-high 38 disposals, as West Coast’s Andew Gaff was his side’s best with 27 possessions.  

The number

Four consecutive wins have now been won by Melbourne – something that hasn’t been achieved since round the Demons won six in a row from rounds 10 to 15, 2006.

Experience differential

Games: West Coast Eagles (2740) v Melbourne (1784)

Goals: West Coast Eagles (1711) v Melbourne (976)

Average age: West Coast Eagles (26 years, 158 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 221 days)

Did you know …

That before this weekend’s thriller, Melbourne’s last win over the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco, in round 19, 2002 was also a heart-stopper? The Eagles led by three points at three quarter-time, before Melbourne won by a goal. Midfielder Travis Johnstone won a game-high 29 disposals and received three Brownlow Medal votes, as captain David Neitz played his 199th game and kicked four goals. The team also featured Adem Yze, Russell Robertson, Jeff White, Shane Woewodin and Cameron Bruce. Oh, and back in 2002, John Howard was prime minister, the Brisbane Lions won the premiership, Steven Bradbury won Australia’s first winter Olympic Games medal, Eminem topped the end of year ARIA charts with Without Me and the 20th official James Bond movie Die Another Day was released!

3 votes: Tom McDonald

How do you split McDonald and Viney for three votes? It’ll be one to keep an eye on, come Brownlow night. In the wash-up, the fact that Tom McDonald kicked the final two goals – including the match-winner – to finish with a career-best five goals got him the nod. His marking was a feature – with three of eight contested. Probably his best game for Dees.

2 votes: Jack Viney

In the rare absence of injured co-captain Nathan Jones, Viney played the perfect skipper’s game. He courage was unbelievable. Played on with an injured shoulder to produce a stunning, bone-jarring bump on opposing captain Shannon Hurn. Finished with a whopping 26 contested possessions, along with nine clearances and six inside 50s. Inspiring.

1 vote: Dom Tyson

Notched up a career-best 33 disposals in an outstanding midfield display. Had 18 contested possessions, seven clearances and six tackles and if it wasn’t for the extraordinary performances from T.McDonald and Viney, Tyson could’ve pushed for  three votes. His best game for the season.  

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

Apologies to …

Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Bernie Vince, Billy Stretch, Michael Hibberd and Cam Pedersen, who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Melbourne embrace and relish the opportunity to play on the road – with success. The Demons have made it three from three this season, having defeated Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Gold Coast Suns at TIO Traeger Park (albeit a home game) and now West Coast at Domain Stadium. These have been critical wins in Melbourne’s 2017 campaign.

Oppo’s best: Drew Petrie

The 34-year-old wound back the clock with a fine performance up forward, booting four goals in his best match yet for his new club. The first-year Eagle, who played 316 games for North Melbourne from 2001-16, kicked his best haul since round 17, 2015 against the Brisbane Lions. He also took eight marks and had 19 disposals.

Pic of the day

Tweet of the round:

Video of the round:



Instagram of the round:

In the mix

There are further injury concerns for the Demons, with Jack Viney (shoulder), Christian Salem (hamstring) and Jeff Garlett (hamstring) all to be assessed. But Jack Watts is likely to be available for what should be his 150th AFL game, after he missed the win in the west, due to hamstring tightness. Sam Weideman (six goals), Jay Kennedy-Harris (40 disposals), Ben Kennedy (36) and Dean Kent (35) all pushed their claims with outstanding games for Casey Demons in their win over Box Hill Hawks. Rebounder Josh Wagner, who like Weideman and Kennedy, was an emergency for round 14, travelled to Perth as the carryover player. He will also be right in the mix.

Next round

The challenges just keep on coming for Melbourne and this will be one of its best yet this season, when it hosts the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Friday night. It will be the red and blue’s first Friday night game since its ANZAC Day Eve clash against Richmond at the MCG in round four, 2015. But it will be Melbourne’s first Friday night ‘home’ game since round seven, 2012 against Hawthorn at the MCG. It will be a batte between two of the most in-form teams in the competition. The Demons have won six of their past eight and the Swans have won six of their past seven, which sets it up for a cracker encounter. Melbourne will be aiming to snap a five-game losing streak against the Swans. 

In the press box …

Interesting to hear a few WA journos getting around the Dees and predicting a Melbourne win pre-match. One local journo was adamant that the red and blue would break the Subiaco drought, even though he was impressed by West Coast’s victory over Geelong the previous week. He was almost matter-of-fact when he said ‘you should beat the Eagles tonight’. He proved to be correct! Oh, and a special mention to Greg, the efficient and hospitable press box host, who was quick to whisk away an empty bottle of water with another within seconds!

In the rooms ...

There was great buzz post-match. Matthew Richardson and Luke Darcy were there for Channel 7, as Clayton Oliver was among the players to be interviewed. The smile couldn’t be wiped from Tom McDonald’s face, who had just achieved a footy childhood dream; Nev Jetta’s family was there celebrating the win, as were several Melbourne fans. On the team bus, back to the hotel, there was chatter for most of the trip, but when a famous riff started blaring out from the back of the bus, it drew a few chuckles. It was none other than Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones. Who says the youth don’t appreciate good music today? The timing of Keith Richards’ famous licks was quite apt. Back at the hotel for dinner, the classic tunes kept pumping. And was it also a sign that a certain Earth, Wind and Fire song came on?

Song to sum up match

How the west was won (main title to movie soundtrack) – composed by Alfred Newman and Ken Darby

Simon Says …

“It was such a big moment there was only 20 seconds to go in the game. To come back the way we did – with six minutes to go [when] we were 16 points down … the spirit of the group and their ability to keep going and find a way was really strong. There is enormous belief in the playing group.” – Simon Goodwin