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

Summary
A highly-entertaining – and nail-biting – round one contest ended in disappointing fashion for the Dees, when they fell three points short. Max Gawn’s set-shot for goal, from roughly 25 metres out, went through for a behind, and with eight seconds remaining, the Cats hung on for victory. It was a frustrating loss, as Melbourne had their opportunities throughout. The red and blue’s poor second term, when Geelong kicked 7.5 to 2.4, proved the difference, as Melbourne played catch-up football. The Demons also wasted their chances in front of goal during the final term, booting 1.7. So, although Gawn’s kick, after a brilliant pack mark, from a classy Cam Pedersen pass, may have been the decider, there were other moments, which could’ve gained the four points. Still, a loss by less than a goal to a 2017 preliminary finalist was hardly a disgrace.

How’s stat?
Melbourne won three of the four quarters and controlled much of the match, except for a poor second term. The Demons lost the second quarter by 31 points, which came back to haunt them in the wash-up. Otherwise, Melbourne booted 11.12 to 7.8 for the match, winning the first term by four points, the third by 20 and the final by four.

The number
39 – was how many disposals Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood had each for Geelong. The superstar duo was dominant in the second quarter, winning 13 disposals each.

Experience differential
Games: Geelong Cats (2037) v Melbourne (1851)
Goals: Geelong Cats (1578) v Melbourne (1159)
Average age: Melbourne (25 years, 155 days) v Geelong Cats (25 years, 97 days)

Did you know …
That was Melbourne’s biggest home and away attendance against Geelong at the MCG since round one, 1964. Interestingly, the Demons lost that game to the Cats by 13 points, but eventually won the premiership – the club’s most recent flag. Read into it what you will!

3 votes: Max Gawn
He might’ve had a tough ending to the game, when he missed the chance to kick the winning goal in the dying stages, but his game was still outstanding. The 2016 All-Australian ruckman smashed 47 hit outs – his opponent Zac Smith had 23 – while he finished with 20 touches and took a team-high three contested marks.

2 votes: Christian Petracca
Set the scene in the opening term with 11 disposals, before finishing with 24 for the match. He finished with seven clearances and kicked 1.3, showing his excellent versatility in the midfield and up forward. Threatened to break the game open on occasions, Petracca looks set to continue his rise in 2018.   

1 vote: Clayton Oliver
The midfielder continued his 2017 best and fairest form with 27 touches, including a game-high 14 contested possessions, six clearances and nine tackles. He also chipped in with a goal, pushing forward during the match. Remarkably, it was just his 36th AFL game, yet he continues to look like a 100-game-plus player.

Apologies to …
Nathan Jones, Cam Pedersen and Jordan Lewis, who all could’ve been among the votes.

Good to see …
Bayley Fritsch breakthrough for his first AFL game, after building his craft via the Casey Demons. The 21-year-old, originally from Coldstream, managed to crack the big time via an alternative route, and after shining in the VFL last year, impressed significantly in Melbourne’s pre-season campaign. He started in dynamic style, almost threading through a brilliant goal on the run from the boundary line – it ended in a behind and the first score of the day – before he took a beauty to kick the opening goal. Fritsch floated across two opponents, and in a twisting manner, managed to rake in a beautiful grab, before converting. He finished with a team-high six marks and showed plenty to like about his game in his first appearance.

Oppo’s best: Joel Selwood
A flip of the coin between captain Joel Selwood or the returning Gary Ablett as Geelong’s best. In the end, Selwood just got the nod. Both reinforced why they are generational players with almost 80 touches between them. Selwood finished with a game-high eight clearances and had five tackles. Tim Kelly also impressed significantly on debut.

Pic of the day

Jesse Hogan (left) and Alex Neal-Bullen (right) congratulate Bayley Fritsch after he kicks his first AFL goal (Michael Wilson, AFL Photos).

Facebook post of the day

Tweet of the day

Instagram of the day

Video of the day

In the mix
The good news for Melbourne is that it got through the match unscathed. But co-captain Jack Viney and key tall Tom McDonald both remain sidelined for six to seven weeks each, due to foot injuries, while Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) and Pat McKenna (hamstring) are out indefinitely. Emergencies Dom Tyson, Angus Brayshaw, Sam Frost and Tom Bugg will push for a recall.

Next round
Melbourne hits the road, taking on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, meaning it’ll be the first time since round five, 2013 that the Demons have played the Lions at the venue. Although Queensland-based Melbourne fans have been starved of red and blue action in recent years, they will get their fix early in 2018, when the Demons also play the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba in round eight. Melbourne will be looking to secure its fourth consecutive victory against the Lions and its first win at the venue since round 18, 2010, when the late Dean Bailey was coach. Both sides will be looking for their first win of the season, after an impressive Brisbane outfit took it right up to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in round one. A sub-story of the match will see Hawthorn great Luke Hodge play his first game for the Lions at home, meaning Jordan Lewis will line-up against his four-time premiership teammate for the first time as a Lion.

In the press box …
The cricket ball tampering controversy was the hot topic of the day in the MCG press box, with Fox Sports' – and Inside Melbourne’s – Tom Morris all over it. The young-gun journo was up-and-about, working the phones, as he covered the cricket story and watched his beloved Dees.

In the rooms ...
A great moment pre-match when Bayley Fritsch was presented with his first AFL jumper. Assistant coach Justin Plapp, formerly Casey Demons senior coach, spoke glowingly about the youngster he had seen develop out at Casey Fields through to the MCG. Fritsch’s family was also on hand to see him receive his jumper, adding to the moment before the game. Also spotted post-match was comedian Hamish Blake, supporting his beloved Demons. 

Song to sum up match
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris

Simon Says …
“I didn’t like our first half much at all. I think our ability to defend in the first half wasn’t to the level that we certainly trained all summer. Ultimately when they have 20 scoring shots from 24 inside 50s, that’s the game in a nutshell.” – Simon Goodwin