Summary

When Gold Coast giant Peter Wright kicked truly at the seven-minute mark of the third quarter, the Suns were up by 30 points, having kicked five of the past six goals. But when Jeff Garlett landed his second major five minutes later, the pendulum swung dramatically in favour of the Demons. Fast forward to the final siren and Melbourne had produced a remarkable 65-point turnaround, having kicked 14 of the last 18 goals, giving the red and blue a memorable 35-point victory. It resulted in Melbourne’s fifth win of the season from 10 rounds, entering the mid-season break. The win was also Melbourne’s first from four home and away matches in Alice Springs.

The stat

Eight consecutive goals were registered by Melbourne from the 12-minute mark of the third quarter until nine minutes into the final term. Garlett (second goal), Nathan Jones, James Harmes, Harmes (second), Jones (second), Alex Neal-Bullen, Mitch Hannan (second) and Jack Watts were the players to combine for the streak.

Leather poisoning

Clayton Oliver had a game-high 35 disposals and Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall had 29 touches.

The number

Melbourne had 71 inside 50s to Gold Coast’s 40 – a whopping 31 more.

Experience differential

Games: Melbourne (1985) v Gold Coast Suns (1446)

Goals: Melbourne (1131) v Gold Coast Suns (876)

Average age: Melbourne (25 years, 2 days) v Gold Coast Suns (23 years, 177 days)

Did you know …

5072 was the official attendance for the Alice Springs match. What was intriguing about that number, as Neville Jetta pointed out after the game, was that it was so close to representing two significant numbers for the round ‘50’ and ‘67’ – 50 years since the 1967 referendum.

3 votes: Nathan Jones

The co-captain and three-time best and fairest winner played perhaps his best game for the season. Was instrumental in the third quarter, when he amassed a term-best 12 disposals and kicked two of his three goals – his second put Melbourne in front for the first time. Jones finished with 27 touches and 11 involvements in scoring chains.

2 votes: Jeff Garlett

Garlett’s 156th AFL match – and 49th for Melbourne – was one of his best. He kicked 5.4, had a career-best 24 disposals and was critical in his side’s second half turnaround. Garlett opened his account with a crucial goal just before half-time, before he got the ball rolling in the third quarter. He all but ended the game with three in the final term.

1 vote: Clayton Oliver  

The 23-gamer continued his outstanding season with his sixth 30-plus disposal performance this year. Strong across the four quarters, with 18 disposals by half-time and 17 in the second half, Oliver had a game-high 21 contested possessions and 11 clearances. Has notched up 309 disposals this season at an average of 30.9 per game.

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

Apologies to …

Michael Hibberd, Mitch Hannan, James Harmes, Jake Melksham, Alex Neal-Bullen and Jordan Lewis who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Melbourne’s three inclusions all make a genuine impact in the win. Harmes booted three goals and really helped Melbourne get going with back-to-back goals in time-on during the third term. Melksham racked up 32 disposals and played his best game for the club and Neal-Bullen was the fourth best ranked player on the ground, according to Champion Data.

Oppo’s best: Aaron Hall

Hall was particularly damaging in the first quarter, with 10 touches and had 16 by half-time. He finished with a team-high 29 disposals to be his side’s standout.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Tweet of the day

Instagram of the day

Senior Coach Simon Goodwin and Assistant Jade Rawlings have a look at the ground. #AFLDeesSuns #IndigenousRound

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

Video of the day

In the mix

Melbourne has the bye next round, but Christian Salem will be available for round 12 after serving a one-match suspension. Round 10 emergencies Billy Stretch, Sam Weideman and Dean Kent will again be around the mark, but it’s hard to see many changes for the Queen’s Birthday blockbuster against Collingwood. Casey plays Coburg next Sunday at Piranha Park and that could have an impact in selection.

Next round

With Melbourne set to have a week off, the focus will soon turn to round 12 against the Magpies. It will also be the third ‘Big Freeze at the G’, as former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher champions the cause to help raise funds to find a cure for MND. Melbourne will enter the match having won its past three against Collingwood and should be favourites. It looms as a genuine QB contest, as the Magpies have won their past two matches against Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions respectively. The Pies have lost six matches, but only by an average of 15.16 per match, with 23 points their biggest loss. Melbourne will be desperate to back-up its fine win over Gold Coast and notch up its sixth win for the season.

In the press box …

Although a far different set-up to say the MCG or Etihad Stadium, the ‘open-air’ press box in the stands only added to the Alice Springs experience. Set on an elevated stage, the make-shift ‘media centre’ was a job well done and was one of the best vantage points at the ground. The Subway sangas were also much appreciated!

Saw in the rooms ...

A great sight when Melbourne fan Sampson Jackson, an Indigenous man from the Western Desert, had made his way to Alice Springs and managed to get to the game. After the win, chief executive Peter Jackson sought him out of the crowd and brought him over to meet his hero and favourite player, Nathan Jones. The co-captain spoke with the happy fan, who was sporting a Jones t-shirt, and posed for some pics. It was one of those moments that reinforces the great things about footy. 

Song to sum up match

Alice Springs – Coloured Stone

Simon Says …

“I’m very proud of the victory. To respond the way we did after half-time and play the way we played was very good.” – Simon Goodwin