1. A Demonic third quarter
The Bulldogs kicked back-to-back goals either side of half-time to lead by four points, but their fans' optimism was tempered by the fact they have been the worst third-quarter team in the AFL this season. Unfortunately for this contest, the Dogs lived up to this unflattering billing as the Demons piled on the next seven goals in a powerful 13-minute patch to build a match-winning lead of 38 points. Max Gawn showed why he is the AFL's premier ruckman by providing silver service to midfielders Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw, who brought forwards like Jesse Hogan, Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo into the game. For finals aspirant Melbourne, after a sluggish opening, it was a case of mission accomplished. As for the Dogs, it's not even mathematically possible for them to make the finals now, so it's official: they will become the first club in 20 years to win a premiership and miss the finals the next two seasons.
2. Schache's miraculous recovery
Young Dogs key forward Josh Schache started strongly with seven possessions, five marks and a goal before he appeared to come to grief three minutes into the second term. As the big left-footer went after a loose ball near the goal-line, Demon defender Sam Frost knocked it through for a rushed behind and, in the process, ran across Schache's left knee. When the 20-year-old went down and clutched the knee, there were fears he'd torn the anterior cruciate ligament. The first positive sign was that Schache jogged to the sidelines, where he was assessed by Dogs' medical team. After a couple of run-throughs along the boundary he returned to the field, without any strapping, within three minutes. Five minutes later the ex-Lion took a contested mark but missed the set shot from 45 metres. Nearing half-time he marked on a lead and kicked his second goal, post-high, from just inside the arc.
3. Macrae returns like he never left
Bulldogs star Jack Macrae was a Brownlow Medal fancy before suffering a four-week hamstring injury and he might well be in the votes again after a terrific performance in his first game back. The loping left-footer picked up where he left off, amassing 11 possessions in the first term and 12 in the second, for a game-high 23 possessions and four clearances by half-time. He was quieter after the break, and it didn't help that his teammates ran out of puff, but he still finished with 33 touches, six clearances and nine tackles. Only Lachie Hunter (35) won more ball for the Dogs.
4. Razor Ray's low-five
Contact between players and umpires has been in the news this season, so an exchange between Demon Angus Brayshaw and Ray Chamberlain raised a few eyebrows. In the third term the prolific Brayshaw was running with the ball near the boundary when he pulled his left-foot kick, which dribbled over the line. Despite calls for deliberate out of bounds, 'Razor Ray' called for a throw-in. The Dees midfielder knew he was lucky not to have been penalised for deliberate out of bounds and, with both men grinning, held his hand out towards Chamberlain, who obliged by pressing some flesh. Little wonder Brayshaw was smiling – he ended up with an equal career-best 39 possessions.
5. Viney's toe blow
Success-starved Demons fans must be wondering whether they are doomed to miss the finals yet again. They cursed their wretched luck pre-game when co-captain Jack Viney was a late withdrawal after experiencing further stress in the problematic toe that sidelined him at the end of last season and the first nine rounds this season. The extent of the issue is yet to be ascertained but the Demons expect the inspirational midfielder to return in "the latter part of the season". Alarm bells are ringing for the Dees given they struggle to beat teams above them without Viney. An easy win over the battling Bulldogs does nothing to change that perception.
