MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column



Summary

After an injury-hit Melbourne went down to the top-of-the-table Adelaide by 46 points at TIO Stadium last round – its biggest loss of the season – the red and blue bounced back with an impressive 23-point victory over the fourth-placed Port Adelaide on the weekend. The Demons regained four key players from injury and the side’s improvement showed. Two in particular – co-captain Jack Viney and ball-winner Dom Tyson – were instrumental. In the process, Melbourne notched up its 10th win for the year, equalling its 2016 record, and its best season since its most recent finals appearance in 2006. With five rounds remaining before September, Melbourne is set for an exciting and intriguing run home.

The stat

Seven goals to nil was the catalyst in Melbourne’s win. The Demons started in strong fashion when Tom McDonald kicked truly, just 58 seconds into the match. By the 20-minute mark of the second term, James Harmes had landed Melbourne’s seventh in a row, giving his team a 43-point lead. The Power didn’t secure its first goal until the 23-minute mark of the second quarter, courtesy of Justin Westhoff.

Leather poisoning

Michael Hibberd had a game-high 36 disposals, as Robbie Gray had 31 for the Power.

The number

27,068 was the biggest crowd for a Melbourne and Port Adelaide game at the MCG. It was the 10th match between the two sides at the home of football, with this clash eclipsing the previous best of 24,533 in round five, 1999.

Experience differential

Games: Port Adelaide (2363) v Melbourne (1759)

Goals: Port Adelaide (1691) v Melbourne (1093)

Average age: Port Adelaide (25years, 82 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 78 days)

Did you know …

That was Melbourne’s best first quarter of the season? The Demons booted 4.4, which edged their 4.3 opening term against Collingwood at the MCG in round 12. And it was the second time this season Melbourne has held a team goalless in the first term, after the Western Bulldogs were kept to 0.1 at Etihad Stadium in round 13. For the record, Melbourne held Port Adelaide to 0.3 this round.

3 votes: Michael Hibberd

Gained career-best disposals against the Power and continued his outstanding first-up season with Melbourne. Thirteen of his 36 touches came in the third quarter. Hibberd amassed a whopping 817 metres, had nine rebound 50s, 12 intercepts and eight scoring involvements. His dash and daring play was again a feature of his play.

2 votes: Dom Tyson

Brilliant return and critical in the first half, particularly in the opening term, when Melbourne set up its victory. Tyson notched up 12 in the first quarter and had 21 disposals by half-time, before finishing with 29. It was a fine return from the classy midfielder after he missed the previous two rounds with a knee injury.

1 vote: Neville Jetta

Has gone about his job with a minimum of fuss for a while now, but his efforts are no longer going unnoticed by the wider football public. Has been in excellent form in recent times and although noted for his ability to shut down opponents, Jetta’s rebound (five) out of defence was particularly noticeable. Again, tough, hard and out his body on the line.

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

Apologies to …

Jesse Hogan, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, Max Gawn, Jayden Hunt and Jake Melksham, who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Jack Trengove return for his first game since round 13, last year. The former co-captain has continued to work tirelessly at training and in the VFL, after overcoming a debilitating foot injury, which has seen him play just six games since the end of the 2013 season. A much-loved figure among the Melbourne faithful, Trengove attitude was incredible, as he never gave up in his pursuit to return to the team.

Oppo’s best: Travis Boak

The Port Adelaide captain was his side’s standout. Winning 24 disposals, Boak also booted four goals and continuing kept his team in the contest – just as the Power looked set to fall away. Also took six marks, had six tackles and was involved in nine scoring chains for the Power.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Liam Jurrah, Austin Wonaeamirri, Jeff Garlett, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Neville Jetta and Matthew Whelhan in the rooms post-match

Tweet of the round:

Video of the round:



Instagram of the round:

Looking forward to seeing number 9️⃣ back in action today #RaiseHell #AFLDeesPower

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

In the mix

With Melbourne Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Jack Watts and Christian Salem returning against the Power, the Demons are now waiting for three-time club best and fairest winner Nathan Jones to return from a quadriceps injury. Whether it’s this round or the next remains to be seen. Angus Brayshaw made his long-awaited return via the VFL on Saturday night at Casey Fields and impressed with 23 disposals. But he’s is likely to spend further time regaining confidence and match fitness before gaining a call-up. Cam Pedersen, Billy Stretch and Joel Smith, who were emergencies against the Power, will be in contention, while Corey Maynard and Ben Kennedy continue to impress in the VFL.

Next round

Melbourne heads south on Saturday to take on North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena. It will be the second time in as many years that the two teams have battled it out in Hobart, after the Roos took the honours by five points in an epic round three encounter last year. It will also be the second-time Melbourne plays North Melbourne this year, after the two teams met in round nine, when the Kangas prevailed by 14 points. Although the Roos are sitting second bottom on the ladder, this won’t be an easy contest. North Melbourne pushed Essendon at Etihad Stadium on the weekend, before falling away in the final term. And there is also one of the last remaining hoodoos for Melbourne to overcome – remembering it hasn’t defeated North Melbourne since round 20, 2006.

In the press box …

Which three-time premiership player continues to be a team player in retirement, carrying three takeaway coffees – stacked on top of each other – with consummate ease for his fellow media teammates? The person in question showed good balance and steadiness when he collected them from the press box barista!

In the rooms ...

Fantastic to see some of Melbourne’s past Indigenous players in the rooms post-match, including Jeff Farmer, Austin Wonaeamirri and Liam Jurrah. The talented trio were all favourites among the Melbourne fans and it was great to see them involved in the club this week. Jurrah and Wonaeamirri were down from the Northern Territory after being part of the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan during the week.

Song to sum up match

Captain Jack – Billy Joel

Simon Says …

“I was really pleased with the way we played. We were pretty disappointed with our game up last week up in Darwin, especially around our contested ball and our clearance. To get that back today was terrific, and to bring so many players back in [the team] ... we were going to struggle a bit at some point in the game. But the resolve of the group and their ability to continue to find [a way] – I thought shone through in the last quarter.” – Simon Goodwin