MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 29-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday …

1 – Melbourne notches up first win over Hawthorn in 10 years 

A 13-game losing streak was snapped, when Melbourne defeated Hawthorn for the first time since round eight, 2006. Given the red and blue was on the receiving end of some horrible losses during that period to the Hawks, it only reinforces the significance of Melbourne’s win.

2 – Best season since 2006

It’s official. Melbourne has achieved its best season in 10 years. Not since 2006 has Melbourne won nine matches or more. In 2010 and 2011, the red and blue won eight matches and drew once in both seasons. But on the weekend, Melbourne went one win better – its best result since Neale Daniher guided the team to 14 wins and one draw and its most recent finals appearance in 2006.

3 – Three out of four ain’t bad

Melbourne won three of its quarters against Hawthorn, including the final term by 23 points. It was a fine effort after winning the opening quarter by 11 points and the third by a point. Although it lost the second quarter, it was only by a goal, highlighting a strong, consistent performance across the board.

4 – Spreading the load

Melbourne had 12 individual goalkickers for the match, compared to Hawthorn’s five. Jack Watts kicked three goals; Tom Bugg, Dom Tyson and Sam Weideman booted two goals each and singles came via Angus Brayshaw, Max Gawn, Jayden Hunt, Dean Kent, Cam Pedersen, Christian Petracca, Billy Stretch and Aaron vandenBerg.

5 – Melbourne kicks the last five goals of the match

At the 11-minute mark of the final term, when Cyril Rioli landed his fourth goal of the match, the Hawks were back in front by one point. They had kicked the first two majors of the final term and the game was in the balance. But when unsung son-of-a-gun Billy Stretch kicked truly at the 14-minute mark, it put Melbourne back in front by five points. From that point, Melbourne added another four goals, courtesy of Bugg, Pedersen and Tyson, who snared the last two goals of the match. The fact Melbourne kicked the last five majors was an outstanding achievement.

6 – Taking it to the Max yet again

Gawn was absolutely outstanding with 41 hit outs, 16 disposals and 1.2. But it was his contested marking – at both ends of the ground – that was the highlight of his game. Gawn pulled in a remarkable eight contested marks and had 11 grabs in total. He was rated best-on-ground by Champion Data.

7 – Welcome back Clarry

Clayton Oliver’s first match back since round 13 against the Sydney Swans at the SCG was outstanding. He had 23 disposals, including 11 contested possessions, nine tackles and had a game-high eight clearances. Coach Paul Roos said Oliver made a genuine impact in his 11^th AFL game. “He's had five weeks out. Realigning those young guys is really important. He looked fitter, looked stronger, ran out the game better and was a significant player. I thought he was very, very good in crucial moments. [He] made big tackles, made good decisions with the ball [and] was really clean.”

8 – Weide the man

What a debut it was for Weideman. In just his first AFL match, he took a fine mark and converted with his first kick and then played in Melbourne’s first win over Hawthorn in 10 years. It took Nathan Jones 221 matches before he could taste the same experience as Weideman did in his first game! For the grandson of the Collingwood great Murray Weideman and the son of former Magpie Mark, Weideman said it was a nervous build-up, but one he relished. “I was absolutely stoked when Roosy told me I would be playing in my first game. I was struggling to get to sleep [before the game] to be honest – all I was doing was just playing thoughts of the game through my head. This was the best one – I can tell you right now – it’s unbelievable.” For Roos, Weideman did everything asked of him in his first match. “The first mark he took set the scene for his day – a courageous mark – and that's what we've seen him do in [the] VFL, and that's what the Melbourne players saw. His ability to get to a high ball and his ability to compete – he ran out of steam late in the game, but it was a good debut against high-quality opposition.”

9 – Jack celebrates ‘300^th game’ in style

Viney’s 67^th AFL game produced a career-best 39 disposals, eclipsing his 37 against Richmond in round five this year. The tough-nut finished with 16 contested possessions, eight tackles and seven clearances. In the process, he chalked up 300 father/son matches, considering former captain and coach – and now manager of player personnel – Todd Viney played 233 games for Melbourne from 1987-99.

10 – Was this 2016’s signature win?

If Melbourne’s round seven win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval was its signature win of the season in 2014 and its victory against Geelong at the Cattery in round 12 was the best of the year in 2015 – then surely this was the standout in 2016. Although there have been some impressive wins by Melbourne this year – it’s hard to find one better than the one on the weekend.