1. By-Gawn, was he good
In the battle of the heavyweights, Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn clearly won on points against North Melbourne counterpart Todd Goldstein. Gawn was dominant, particularly at the centre bounces and the stoppages. He finished with 50 hit-outs, 23 centre clearances and 18 disposals. But Goldstein caused problems when he drifted forward to display his athleticism in another zone. The big Roo set up first half goals to Billy Hartung and Jy Simpkin. But the irrepressible Gawn was a brilliant contributor in the Demons breakthrough victory, despite being briefly forced to the interchange bench after a heavy head knock midway through the last quarter.
2. A record the skipper willingly surrendered
At long last, Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones isn't alone any more on a damning stats sheet. Jones was the only current player to be part of the Demons' previous winning team against North Melbourne in round 20, 2006. It was just his fourth AFL game. And he has now played 242. Since that long-ago success, Melbourne has had eight different senior coaches and seven different official captains. Fittingly, previous senior coach Paul Roos was boundary-side in his TV commentary role.
3. Look at me, I'm back and ready to play
Talk about make an early statement! Giant Roo Majak Daw, a late replacement for hamstring victim Robbie Tarrant, soared above a pack of players to grab a towering mark on the edge of the defensive goalsquare inside the opening minute. A few minutes later, the big man let Demon Jordan Lewis know he was lurking in defence by delivering a bone-jarring bump to the veteran onballer near the boundary line right in front of the aggrieved Melbourne members stand.
4. Let's roll the video
At the very least, a video check will be required on Kangaroo Kayne Turner's swinging arm to Demon Josh Wagner's midriff in the first quarter. A relayed free kick set up the first of three goals for the first quarter from Melbourne's lively forward Tomas Bugg. And the league won't like the look of Christian Salem's bump on a clearly limping Jamie Macmillan that sent the hobbling Roo crashing to the turf again in the fiery opening term. And Roos defender Scott Thompson might be on the video show too after an errant hand to Demon Jesse Hogan's head on the southern wing shortly before the final siren.
5. Who just stole our footy?
North Melbourne had that feeling of being the victim of a pickpocket after earning a free kick deep in defence in the second quarter. While Luke McDonald took off to take the "advantage" free kick, he hesitated on the umpire's call and the handpass was intercepted by Jeff Garlett. The speedy Demon forward wasn't going to waste this gift and he fired through the goal from close range.
