MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column.
Summary
It’s raw, it’s emotional and it’s the one that got away. So, where do you start? Let’s start with this simple fact: Melbourne has just achieved its best season since 2000 – an incredible effort, given where the club’s been in recent years. But the Demons were unable to, at least emulate that feat, and play off in their first Grand Final in 18 years, after West Coast Eagles bundled them out of Saturday’s second preliminary final by a whopping 66 points. It was the club’s second worst loss of the season and unraveled an otherwise outstanding year and fairytale finals series. After Richmond was knocked out by Collingwood at the MCG in the first preliminary final on Friday night, the premiership race was down to just three teams. That’s right, the Demons ended up being just one of three sides from an 18-team competition to be in the hunt for this year’s flag. That’s a remarkable achievement when you consider how difficult it is to, not only play off in preliminary finals, but advance into that ‘One Day in September’. But, in the end, Melbourne was unable to seize the moment and after being smashed in the first half – trailing by 63 points at half-time – it was game over. It was a dismal way to finish an otherwise memorable season. Still, history will show that Melbourne’s ability to progress every season since it won just two games in 2013 continued – with its first finals series since 2006. But Melbourne’s journey continues. The likes of key ‘recruits’ Jesse Hogan and Jake Lever will return from injury to strengthen the side. And there is no question Melbourne has the ability to continue its climb in 2019. But that doesn’t mean it will happen. It could miss the eight. It could make it. It could win the flag next year. That’s why this one hurt. And it’s why the challenge remains.
How’s stat?
Melbourne couldn’t have asked for a poorer start against West Coast. The Demons posted six scores to 19 by half-time: 0.6 to 10.9. It was the first goalless half in a final since Richmond booted 0.4 against Collingwood in the 1927 Grand Final. It was also the lowest half-time score since the Magpies kicked 1.0 against Melbourne in the 1960 Grand Final.
The number
55 – years. That’s how long it will be, since Melbourne’s most premiership, when it starts its 2019 campaign. It remains the longest drought of any VFL/AFL team without a flag, given Melbourne’s most recent premiership was 1964. Oh, and, if numbers are your thing, it was 1955 when Melbourne won the first of five premierships in six years.
Experience differential
Games: West Coast Eagles (2635) v Melbourne (2070)
Goals: West Coast Eagles (2268) v Melbourne (963)
Average age: West Coast Eagles (26 years, 100 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 311 days)
Did you know …
That Melbourne has lost both preliminary finals to West Coast by more than 10 goals. Unfortunately, the Demons have gone down to the Eagles in Perth by 65 points (1994) and now 66 points (2018). For the record, since 1964, Melbourne has now played seven preliminary finals: 1987-88, 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2018. It has won two: 1988 (Carlton) and 2000 (Kangaroos). And it has lost five: 1987 (Hawthorn), 1994 (West Coast), 1998 (Kangaroos) and 2018 (West Coast).
3 votes: Clayton Oliver
Hard to find too many winners for the Demons, but Oliver, who has had a magnificent season and could win this year’s Brownlow Medal, never stopped trying. He finished with 27 disposals and kicked Melbourne’s first goal of the match, which finally came less than a minute into the second half.
2 votes: Michael Hibberd
Gave it his all and attempted to make something from nothing when the team was massively under the pump. Burst out of defence and tried to create some run, particularly in the first half. After coming back from injury against West Coast in round 22, not surprisingly, was an important part of Melbourne’s finals campaign.
1 vote: Jack Viney
The co-captain never gave up and finished with 21 disposals, including 15 across the second and third terms. He also had 11 clearances. Still, his ability to fight back and play a key role in Melbourne’s finals campaign, after overcoming a foot injury, was a fine performance. This finals series will only drive him further.
Apologies to …
Tom McDonald, James Harmes and Angus Brayshaw, who all could’ve been among the votes.
Good to see …
The Melbourne fans have been unbelievable this year, particularly the finals. The fact that a sea of red and blue travelled across the Nullarbor was a testament to their love of the club, when realistically, it was an incredibly costly exercise for so many. Melbourne supporters have been on such a ride in recent years and this was no exception – except that it was one that will provide plenty of smiles in time, even if the wounds are yet to heal.
Oppo’s best: Josh Kennedy
Take your pick. Jamie Cripps was brilliant, Jack Redden too. But the two talls in attack – Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling – were always the most dangerous entering this match. They combined for seven goals and Kennedy bagged them all by the two-minute mark of the second term, which not only gave West Coast a 41-point lead, but sealed the win.
Pic of the day
The red and blue wave made its way west to Optus Stadium. Thanks to all the fans who made the journey! (Photo: Will Russell)
Facebook post of the day
Instagram photo of the day
Tweet of the day
Touchdown. ✈
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) September 22, 2018
Flight VA677 has landed in Perth with important red + blue cargo onboard.#FlyYourColours #GameRaider pic.twitter.com/MFZgTk73cj
Video of the day
Scenes.
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) September 22, 2018
A sea of red + blue arriving at Optus Stadium. #RaiseHell #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/pgJ1cWRiTM
In the rooms
Song to sum up the match
AC/DC - It's a Long Way to the Top
Simon Says …
“It didn't look like us in any phase of the game. We made a lot of mistakes early and our turnovers cost us greatly. In terms of what we really pride ourselves on as a footy club, we had 34 tackles for the day and lost the contested ball (159-144). It's not the game you want to lose those stats. That was the more disappointing part.” – Simon Goodwin
