1. Stunning upset
Melbourne had not beaten Geelong since round six, 2006 and not won at Simonds Stadium since round 20, 2005. The Demons had lost their past 10 games against the Cats and had lost their past three games, the previous loss a heartbreaking last-minute defeat at the hands of St Kilda. However they deserved the win, thrashing Geelong in all departments. The difficult thing for Geelong to stomach is that the Demons were harder at the contest. Although the result was a shock, the omens were bad for the Cats leading into the game. Melbourne has not lost when a player on the opposing team is recording his 300th game – having defeated teams including Leigh Matthews, Luke Power and Paul Salmon. The Cats have not won any of their three games when a player has celebrated 300 games.
2. Max Gawn's first half inspiring
After starting the rot in the final 40 seconds against St Kilda with an inexplicable centre bounce hit-out, the young ruckman responded well. By half-time he had a career high five contested marks, had kicked a goal and seemed to be everywhere. He was the main contributor to the Demons leading the centre clearances 7-0 at quarter-time, kicking five unanswered goals in the first quarter and having a slender lead at the long break. He kept it simple and looks to have played a break-out game in Melbourne coach Paul Roos' best win as coach of Melbourne.
3. Joel Selwood v Jack Viney
Selwood is a champion of the game and Viney has won respect for his fearless attack on the ball throughout his 38 games. In his first senior game at Simonds Stadium the young bull Viney took on the old bull Selwood and beat him. He had 27 disposals, five centre clearances and 17 contested possessions compared to Selwood's 16 disposals, three centre clearances and eight contested possessions. It was just the sixth time in 59 games that Selwood had been on the losing team at Simonds Stadium, with three of those games being in 2015. It will create some good memories for Viney, who had his jaw broken when playing VFL on his previous visit to Simonds Stadium.
4. Corey Enright's 300 spoiled
The champion would have been disappointed that his occasion could not be honoured with a win. The day started well when he ran out through a guard of honour that included former teammates Matthew Scarlett and Max Rooke, his brother Mark, and old friends from Kimba Districts Football Club as well as junior Cats' members and his son Boh. Enright also had a photo pre-game with the only other two former Cats to reach 300 games, John 'Sam' Newman and Ian Nankervis. After dropping off his son with the club mascot Half-Cat, Enright picked up Matt Jones and went about the business of ensuring the game ended with a win. Unfortunately it was a dirty day for the Cats as they could not win an enthralling contest.
5. Melbourne's structure led to goals
The Demons denied Geelong the corridor, halted the Cats' ability to move the ball quickly from defence to attack and punished their turnovers. It was a disciplined performance that frustrated the Cats' prime movers and exposed their defence. Lynden Dunn was able to quell Tom Hawkins and took five intercept marks and had 26 disposals. When Geelong challenged in the third quarter, the Demons pounced on the Cats' turnovers. They kicked three of their six goals in that way to record their best scoring quarter of the season with six goals. They then made the most of their opportunities in the final quarter, their five goals coming from their first six entries in that quarter.
