Nine goals to zip buries Dees
When Sam Blease kicked a beauty and his second at the 22 minute mark of the third term, the Demons were up by 20 points. The sniff of victory number three for 2012 was in the air for the Demons. But when Michael Walters answered for the Dockers a minute later - ending Melbourne’s four-goal streak - the margin was reduced to 14 points. Matthew Pavlich’s third goal, kicked just before three quarter time, then reduced the deficit back to seven points. Although the Demons held sway at each break entering the final term, the pendulum turned dramatically in the last quarter. Fremantle turned it on with seven goals to zip, meaning the visitors kicked the last nine goals of the match and recorded a 34-point victory. It was a disappointing result for the Demons, after they held sway for much of the match.
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Monday analysis: No one reason for loss
Tom’s time finally comes
And so the long-awaited debut of Tom Couch finally came. After more than five years of perseverance, Couch made his debut against Fremantle, and handled himself well. He finished with 13 disposals, and showed some encouraging signs. His persistence to make it at the highest level was becoming an impatience for supporters and some of those close to Couch. And, although he wanted it desperately as well, he knew he had to hone his craft in the VFL. Couch said he knew he had to wait patiently. “I know family and friends probably weren’t. They were telling me ‘why aren’t you getting a game?’ But I speak with Needy twice a week, and I’ve got nine coaches and they’re telling me what I need to work on. So I personally didn’t get frustrated at all. I had little goals along the way, every two or three weeks, and luckily for me I’ve been able to achieve that.” Although disappointed by the result, Couch is determined to make sure he etches out game number two and beyond. “It would’ve been nice with a win, but I’m not too happy with one game though. I want to build on that and I think the club’s going in the right direction and I want to be part of the future success,” he said.
Stef steps up
Last year, when Mark Jamar went down with a knee injury, Stef Martin stepped up in his absence. Again, when the 2010 All-Australian left the field with a calf injury early in the match, Martin stepped up to make a strong contribution. Although he started up forward and kicked the first goal of the match, Martin played predominantly in the ruck. He finished with two goals, 26 hit outs and made an impact. Coach Mark Neeld said it was a positive from the loss of Jamar. “We were pleased with Stefan Martin’s output during the game, so that was fine,” he said.
Bennell’s blow
Playing just his sixth match for the season, Bennell started promisingly, booting the second goal of the match and helping Melbourne to a fine start. He too continued to show some encouraging signs, but like his team, his day ended in disappointment. Bennell injured his anterior cruciate ligament and now faces a year on the sidelines. It was a bitter blow for the 56-gamer, which was not lost on coach Mark Neeld post-match. “Unfortunately for Jamie we've been told he has done his ACL. That is part of our game and there is a fair bit of emotion that goes with that, a young player trying to find his way in the game, his knee is smashed,” Neeld said.
Brad bounces back
It’s been a tough year for the former skipper. He was dropped for the first time since 2003. He then returned to the VFL and injured a finger, missing the next three matches. After one match back for Casey, Green played four games in a row, before a groin injury sidelined him for three weeks. He returned for the Scorpions and booted a match-winning six goals. On Saturday, he was back in a Melbourne jumper and produced his best performance for the season. In some ways, the shackles appeared to be released. He booted three goals and showed some good form in attack. His first goal in the opening term was classy and it showed that, regardless of what his future holds post-2012, the veteran still has plenty to offer with his form and experience this season.
