Summary

Melbourne’s season ended in the most heartbreaking fashion, when the West Coast Eagles defeated Adelaide Crows at Domain Stadium on Sunday to gain enough percentage to push the Demons out of the eight. It ended up being a shattering end to a frustrating weekend, after Melbourne went down to Collingwood by 16 points at the MCG on Saturday. The loss to the Magpies put the Demons in a vulnerable position and it proved that way in the finish. In the end, Melbourne finished the season in ninth position with 12 wins – equal with Essendon (seventh) and West Coast (eighth) – but falling short due to percentage. Still, 12 wins was Melbourne’s best season since 2006.

The stat

Collingwood registered 11 scores (6.5) to four (1.3) in the first quarter, which ultimately set-up its win. The Magpies led by 32 points at the first break and although Melbourne won the next three terms, the damage was done early on.

Leather poisoning

Clayton Oliver had a game-high 30 disposals, as Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams had a team-high 28 touches.

The number

It’s now 11 years without finals for Melbourne, but this has been the closest Melbourne has got to September since 2006. Since winning just two matches in 2013, the Demons have improved each year, notching up four wins (2014), seven (2015), 10 (2016) and 12 (2017). Although it was a frustrating end to an improved year, the club has progressed – remembering it was coming from a long way back, just four years ago.

Experience differential

Games: Melbourne (2154) v Collingwood (1569)

Goals: Melbourne (1370) v Collingwood (933)

Average age: Melbourne (25 years, 43 days) v Collingwood (23 years, 274 days)

Did you know …

Melbourne had 10 to 13 players on its list unavailable each round this season, except rounds seven and 12, when it had nine players out.

3 vote: Clayton Oliver

Capped off a stunning season with another 30 disposals – the 12th time he has notched up 30 or more touches in a game this season. He finished with 659 disposals in 22 matches. All of this at just 20 years old and with 34 games under his belt. Yet staggeringly, he wasn’t named in the 40-man All-Australian squad on Monday – an unbelievable oversight.

2 votes: Christian Petracca

Produced one of his best performances for the season, winning 23 disposals and kicking two goals. His first was Melbourne’s only major in the opening term, while he kicked one at the 28-minute mark of the third term, which was Melbourne’s fourth in a row. Petracca also had five clearances and eight scoring involvements.

1 vote: Jake Melksham

Melksham continued his impressive form in front of goal, kicking three majors, including two in the third term, which was part of four in a row from the Demons. He has now kicked at least one goal in his past 12 games – a fine achievement and up there among the best in the competition. Has continually improved this season.

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

Apologies to …

Jordan Lewis, Jeff Garlett and Jack Watts … who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Improvement was still made this year, despite the obvious frustration of the end of the season. Interestingly, Melbourne is one of two clubs – along with GWS Giants – to have climbed up the ladder each season since 2014. Melbourne has gone from 17th (2014) to 13th (2015) to 11th (2016) and to 9th (2017) on the ladder in the past four seasons. It might not mean much at the moment, but it reinforces that progression has been made.

Oppo’s best: Jamie Elliott

The likes of Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brayden Maynard, Steele Sidebottom and Taylor Adams were pivotal in Collingwood’s win, but Elliott was instrumental in the opening term, when he won 10 of his 20 disposals. He also kicked a goal in the first quarter and two in the second term to help Collingwood to victory. He also had 10 scoring involvements.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

 

Tweet of the day: https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/901262507997675520

Instagram of the day: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYPevsEDFRq/?taken-by=melbournefc

Video of the day: https://twitter.com/AFL/status/901326366078926849

In the mix

With the season now over, the likes of Jack Viney (foot) and Jesse Hogan (hamstring) won’t be racing against the clock to play. Instead, there will be several Melbourne players qualifying for Casey in the VFL, as the Demons prepare for finals. Coach Justin Plapp will be aiming for another Grand Final berth and going one better in 2017.  

Next round

Unfortunately, for the Melbourne faithful, the season is over. It was a bloody gut-wrenching way to end the season for all who love the club. It was bitterly disappointing that a golden opportunity to play in the finals was missed. But in the cold, hard light of day – perspective must come to the fore. And we – the red and blue fraternity – must keep going. Too much work has gone into this new era to throw the hands up in the air. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It was never going to be easy – and it still won’t be. The list is not coming to an end, like some clubs, which will lose several key players through retirements. And it’s not a list that is in no man’s land or hanging on. Remember Jesse Hogan has played just 51 games, while then the likes of Christian Salem, James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Christian Petracca, Oscar McDonald, Angus Brayshaw, Billy Stretch, Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Josh Wagner, Mitch Hannan, Sam Weideman, Joel Smith, Tim Smith, Corey Maynard, Dion Johnstone, Declan Keilty and Pat McKenna have played between 48 and zero games. The scope for improvement is considerable. The list will only continue to mature – and get better. And that list above doesn’t even include co-captain Jack Viney, who is still only 23 years old. Don’t buy into the BS and the noise. Back the team in – and the club – because this list will only get better.

 

In the press box …

It was a sad day for many in the MCG media area, after the sudden passing of the great Drew Morphett. Regarded as one of the country’s finest broadcasters, Morphett was one of the voices for many football, cricket and sports loving fans. He passed away aged 69 and it was felt among many who were covering the game at the ‘G. Several took time to look at his name among the MCG media hall of fame. Vale Drew Morphett. You were sensational! A word he often used with great excitement.

In the rooms ...

It was a strange feeling in the rooms. There was bitter disappointment among many, but also a realisation that all was not lost and focus must still be made. Several players quickly got into post-match recovery – they had to, as the thought process had to be that the season was still alive. And they were finals no less.

Song to sum up match

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – The Waiting

Simon Says …

“Unfortunately, we couldn't take our opportunity. We had our destiny in our own hands and with the result comes an agonising wait for our players and our supporters.” – Simon Goodwin post-match.