Summary

MELBOURNE didn’t kick its season off in the fashion it would’ve liked, falling to Port Adelaide by 26 points at the MCG in Round 1.

After a strong start on Saturday afternoon, the Demons gave up an 11-point quarter-time lead to trail at the main break.

While the game remained in the balance for much of the third term, the Power proved too strong in the latter stages of the contest to claim the four points.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Salem 32, Brayshaw 26, Harmes, Oliver 23, Jones 19

GOALS: Melksham 2, Brayshaw, Fritsch, Jones, T.McDonald, Petracca, Sparrow, Weideman

In the rooms pre-game

Three young Demons pulled on the red and blue for the first time on Saturday, creating a buzz in the rooms prior to the match.

Former Kangaroo Corey Wagner was the first to receive his guernsey, as he prepared for the ninth game of his AFL career.

Marty Hore and Tom Sparrow followed, also having their father’s present their jumpers in a moment they will never forget.

View this post on Instagram

A special moment in the rooms for our three debutants. Go well, boys. #MyHeartBeatsTrue

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

Lack of run

Port Adelaide ran all over the Dees after quarter-time, using their pace to control the ball on the outside and penetrate the forward 50.

The Power not only matched Melbourne in contested possessions but smashed the Demons with 93 more uncontested possessions.

Their work rate was too good on the day and they created more opportunities to score, with plus 14 inside 50s.

Tom Rockliff (44 disposals) and Travis Boak (34 disposals) dominated in the centre for Port, while Justin Westhoff finished off their work with five goals.

The turning point

With 17 minutes remaining in the contest, the Power clung to a nine-point lead, and Dees' skipper Nathan Jones spilt a costly mark inside 50.

It was an uncharacteristic fumble by the veteran as he momentarily took his eyes off the ball, but it proved to be a telling moment in the match as the Power stole the momentum from that point on.

Scoreless finish

Despite trailing by eight points at the final change, the Demons were still in the game heading into the final term.

But Melbourne produced a scoreless last quarter as its players appeared to tire while the Power surged onto victory.

Youngsters impress

Sparrow showed why he was so highly sought after in the draft, looking right at home on the big stage after being a late inclusion for his first game.

The 18-year-old had 14 disposals, laid three tackles and booted a goal against Port and looked more than comfortable at the top level.

Port Adelaide’s debutants were equally as impressive, as teenage trio Connor Rozee, Zac Butters and Xavier Duursma all showed glimpses of brilliance throughout the match.

The standouts

The Demons weren’t able to find 22 contributors on the weekend, with a number of players underperforming by their own standards.

Silky defender Christian Salem was by far the best performer for the red and blue, racking up 32 disposals – 30 of which were kicks as he rebounded from defence.

A word from Goody

“We got beaten by a team that worked a bit harder. They beat us in the areas that we really value,” Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media post-game.

“It certainly wasn’t the way that we wanted to start our season … but as I said to the players, it’s Round 1. Our challenge is to keep improving every week and look for the next challenge ahead.”

Looking ahead

Round 2 v Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium – Saturday, 30 March, 7:25pm AEDT

Melbourne will get its chance to bounce back next week when it travels down the highway to face Geelong.

The Demons had three epic encounters with the Cats in 2018, so they will be looking to carry the momentum from last year’s Elimination Final and bank their first win of the season.