MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 35-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday …
1 – Equal start to 2015, now the challenge begins …
Melbourne has started 2016 in a similar fashion to 2015, winning two of its opening four rounds. But there is no doubt this year has been better, as its two losses in 2016 have been by a combined 18 points – as opposed to 70 last year. The challenge now is to notch up wins from rounds five to seven against Richmond, St Kilda and Gold Coast Suns respectively, as last year Melbourne went winless in between rounds four and eight.
2 – Great start sets up win
Melbourne’s opening quarter against Collingwood – 6.2 to 1.2 – was its best first quarter since round 19, 2012, when it booted 6.6 against Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.
3 – Back-to-back tons recorded
Not since round 22 to 24, 2011, when Todd Viney was coach, has Melbourne booted 100 points or more in consecutive weeks. After kicking 20.11 (131) against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in round three, Melbourne registered 16.6 (102) against the Pies at the ‘G on Sunday.
4 – QB clash to be three in a row?
From round 20, 2007 to round 10, 2015, Melbourne lost 10 of its 11 encounters against Collingwood. Only a draw against the Magpies in round 12, 2010 was the closest the red and blue came to winning during that period. Now, Melbourne has won its past two games against Collingwood and will be desperate to make it three in a row when the two teams meet again on Monday, June 13 for the annual Queen’s Birthday clash at the ‘G.
5 – Key forwards
Melbourne’s tall forwards combined strongly against the Pies, kicking nine of the 16 goals. Jack Watts recorded an equal career-best four goals, Hogan booted two, Cam Pedersen kicked a couple and Sam Frost landed one. Small forwards Dean Kent and Ben Kennedy also chipped in with one each. This group earned strong praise from Hogan post-match. “I think all of the forwards had a massive impact. We’re starting to get that chemistry and that consistent look up forward, rather than that chopping and changing. It’s been really good,” he said.
6 – Jumpin’ Jack
Watts continued his fine start to the season, booting an equal career-best four goals against the Pies – all in the first half, including three in the second term. It was the third time in his career he has booted four goals in a match. He has now booted nine goals for the year and kicked at least one goal in his past nine matches.
7 – Howe-zat!
Jeremy Howe lined up against his former teammates for the first time since crossing from Melbourne to Collingwood at the end of last season. It proved to be a tough day for Howe and his new team, as the Magpies went down by 35 points at the MCG. Hogan said he “didn’t come across” Howe during the action and skipper Nathan Jones said “not much was said” out on the ground. But he was pretty matter of fact about what he thought of Howe’s departure, when he spoke about the high-flyer post-match. “He chose to leave, so there’s not too much to be said about it really. It didn’t faze us one bit and it wasn’t even really spoken about as the week went on. Good luck to him. I’m relatively close to him still and so are a few boys here, but in the end, when you cross that white line – that’s all that matters,” Jones said.
8 – Congratulations Roosy!
Paul Roos achieved two significant milestones in style against the Pies. He notched up his 250th match as an AFL coach and equaled his first coach Robert Walls on 606 matches as an AFL player/coach combined. As Kevin Sheedy, Michael Malthouse, Jock McHale, Leigh Matthews, David Parkin, Ron Barassi, Norm Smith and Allan Jeans are the only people to have played and coached more games at the highest level, it only reinforces Roos’ stature in the game.
9 – What the coach said …
“You’re nervous going in, but you just want effort and you feel like things are starting to come together. But you’re playing against a team that’s under pressure and has some experienced players and some good players coming back in [Steele] Sidebottom and [Travis] Varcoe – to do it the way we did was really pleasing.” – Paul Roos
10 – And now for ANZAC Day Eve …
Next Sunday night promises to be another moving experience pre-match, as the football community honours those who have served. On the field, it looms as another fascinating contest between Melbourne and Richmond. If Melbourne wins, it will have three wins from five rounds. If that happens, the Tigers will have a one/four win/loss record entering round six. For the record, Melbourne will also be aiming for three in a row against the Tigers.
