A sixth consecutive loss

MELBOURNE’S nightmare run continued on Friday night, as it dropped a sixth consecutive match of footy.

The Demons had the chance to stand up on the big stage at the MCG, but with an inexperienced line up, couldn’t take it up to Sydney.

The 43-point defeat, where the Dees managed just five goals, sealed the red and blue’s faith for 2019, as they are now certain to finish 17th on the ladder.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Oliver 30, Viney 25, Brayshaw 24, Hibberd 23, Lewis 21, Harmes 20, Petracca 19

GOALS: Melksham 3, Fritsch, Neal-Bullen

Chandler’s debut

It’s always a special occasion when a youngster plays his first senior game, and it was Kade Chandler’s turn in Round 22.

The 19-year-old’s father Milton presented him with the red and blue guernsey pre-game, as the young Dee’s family made the trip from South Australia to be by his side.

Chandler managed just the seven disposals on debut, but his pressure game was strong, laying an impressive nine tackles as a small forward.

Swans swoop at stoppages

It took just six minutes of play for Sydney to put three majors on the board, winning the first four centre clearances of the match to immediately gain the ascendancy.

Despite Max Gawn’s dominance with 52 hit-outs, the Swans swooped around the stoppages to break even in the clearances and damage the Demons on the attack.

Two goalless quarters

Melbourne’s inability to play four quarters has been the biggest issue in 2019, and it failed to amend this area on Friday night.

After a somewhat competitive opening term, the Demons were held goalless for two consecutive quarters, before a free kick on the goal line finally broke the drought.

Forced to go small

With injuries to Tom McDonald, Sam Weideman, Tim Smith, Harry Petty, Oscar McDonald and Steven May, the Demons were left without any tall options inside 50.

They had to make-do with what they had, as Jake Melksham, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Petracca became the targets in the forward half of the ground.

Up against a strong Swans defence which was led well by Dane Rampe, Melbourne struggled to hit the scoreboard despite winning the inside 50 count once again.

The pressure game

The Swans’ pressure was a standout throughout the game, forcing the Demons into errors by foot.

With a clear hunger for the contest, Sydney laid 83 tackles – six more than the Dees – and handled the slippery ball better when it mattered.

Shifting positions

With little to gain from the result, Simon Goodwin used the clash with Sydney as an opportunity to trial his players in different positions.

Charlie Spargo came into the side and played in defence for the first time, while Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis switched ends, as the former Hawk returned to the backline.

Petracca was forced to play as a backup ruckman due to the lack of height, and with a hole up forward, Sam Frost was swung down there in the final term.

Genuine emotion

The results this season have been heartbreaking for everyone involved with the club, but the pain the players are going through shouldn’t be undersold.

It was a sombre feeling in the rooms post-game, as the Dees sat helplessly, stewing over the game just played.

A word from Goody

“Tonight was unacceptable and probably reflective of where we’ve been for the year,” Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media post-game.

“We’re going to take responsibility. We’re in a poor position right now as a footy club but we’re going to work really hard to get ourselves out of it.”

Looking ahead

Round 23 v North Melbourne @ Blundstone Arena – Saturday, 24 August, 2:10pm AEST

The Dees have one last chance to register a sixth win for 2019 when they head to Tasmania to face North Melbourne.

Next Saturday afternoon's clash will be just the third time Melbourne has played for home and away points at Blundstone Arena, after dropping its first two matches there by under a kick.