MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column.
Summary
Melbourne’s opening win of the season came with a scare, before a 26-point victory was secured. The Demons started brilliantly, kicking 5.4 to 0.3, and had a 31-point advantage at quarter-time. Early in the third term, when Nathan Jones kicked his second at the six-minute mark, the Demons led by a game-high 42 points. With the match in Melbourne’s grasp, Brisbane hit back to turn the game on its head. The Lions booted seven unanswered goals – the last three of the third quarter and the opening four of the final term – to level the scores. But after Lion Allen Christensen’s third had the scores locked at 65 points each, Melbourne replied with five of the last six goals to produce a gritty win on the road.
How’s stat?
Melbourne has now won its past four matches against the Lions. It’s the first time the Demons have achieved four in a row against the Brisbane Lions (since 1997, following the merger of Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears at the end of the 1996 season). It was also Melbourne’s first win over the Lions at the Gabba since round 18, 2010.
The number
9 – was the amount of goals kicked between key Jesse Hogan (five) and livewire Jeff Garlett (four). The duo combined brilliantly in Melbourne’s win, and showed they will provide plenty of headaches for opposition teams in 2018. Add two goals from Bayley Fritsch and 11 of Melbourne’s 14 goals came from its ‘tall’, ‘medium’ and ‘small’ forwards.
Experience differential
Games: Melbourne (2033) v Brisbane Lions (1696)
Goals: Melbourne (1221) v Brisbane Lions (1102)
Average age: Melbourne (25 years, 149 days) v Brisbane Lions (24 years, 24 days)
Did you know …
Jesse Hogan averages five goals per game against the Brisbane Lions. He has now kicked 20 majors from four matches against the Lions – the most against any opposition team. His next best is 17 goals in five games against the Saints. Hogan has now booted eight majors after two rounds.
3 votes: Jesse Hogan
Hogan was outstanding for the Demons, booting a game-high five goals. The 23-year-old set the tone with two majors in the opening term and stood up in the final quarter, when the game was on the line, adding another two goals. His tackle and chase on Lion Cedric Cox was an absolute beauty.
2 votes: Jeff Garlett
Like Hogan, Garlett was fantastic in attack, kicking four goals, including two critical majors in the final term to put the Dees back on track – and towards victory. Garlett’s goal sense and pressure were again on show and his influence was highlighted by the fact he was rated Melbourne’s best by Champion Data. He has now kicked 299 AFL goals.
1 vote: Clayton Oliver
The reigning best and fairest winner racked up 35 disposals, including 23 in the second half. It was the 13th time in his 23 games that he has amassed 30 disposals or more in a match. It’s incredible to think that he’s still only 20 years old and has played less than 50 games (37 to be exact).
Apologies to …
Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca and Max Gawn, who all could’ve been among the votes.
Good to see …
Dom Tyson bounce back strongly in his first game for the season. The classy midfielder had 22 disposals and was among Melbourne’s best, after being an emergency for round one. Tyson’s calf injury during the JLT Community Series period probably cost him a place in round one, but his contribution against the Lions was most encouraging.
Oppo’s best: Charlie Cameron
Cameron and Allen Christensen were instrumental in the Lions’ comeback. The duo kicked three goals each, but it was Cameron’s pressure and involvement that gave him the nod as the Lions’ best. The former Crow has now kicked six goals in his first two games for the Lions.
Pic of the day
Facebook post of the day
Tweet of the day
Did you know this is our first match at the Gabba since R5, 2013? Max Gawn, Nathan Jones and Cam Pedersen all played that game. They are the only three Dees to be playing today. Tom McDonald (out with a foot injury) is the only remaining Demon to have also played. #AFLLionsDees
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) March 31, 2018
Instagram of the day
In the mix
Co-captain Jack Viney and defender-turned-forward Tom McDonald remain sidelined for six weeks, while Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) and Pat McKenna (hamstring) are out indefinitely. Pushing their claims, after playing in Casey’s 111-point win over Frankston, in a VFL practice match on Good Friday, include Sam Frost, Angus Brayshaw, Mitch Hannan, Dean Kent and Sam Weideman.
Next round
The Demons take on their bogey side, North Melbourne, at the MCG on Saturday. Not since Nathan Jones played his fourth AFL game, back in round 20, 2006, has Melbourne defeated the Kangaroos. In fact, the Demons have lost to the Roos on the past 17 occasions – the longest current losing streak in the AFL. Melbourne has fallen agonisingly short in its past three encounters against North Melbourne and will be desperate to end a horrible streak. Although this is as good an opportunity for Melbourne to notch up its first win over the Roos in 12 years, it still won’t be easy. The Kangas produced an outstanding win over St Kilda on Good Friday and will enter with plenty of confidence. A cracking contest looms.
In the press box …
The Queensland media hadn’t seen Melbourne at the Gabba for a long time – since round five, 2013 to be exact – and its key journos were most impressed with the performance of Jeff Garlett. His performance reinforced to them that he was one of the best small forwards in the game – and an oft-underrated performer among the competition.
In the rooms ...
A former Cat, Demon and Lion was present among the red and blue rooms, when 2011 Melbourne best and fairest winner Brent Moloney soaked up the atmosphere post-match. Although few teammates remain at the club, from his time at Melbourne, Moloney was warmly greeted by Nathan Jones. ‘Beamer’, as he’s affectionately known, still looks as fit as a fiddle as he enjoys life on the Sunshine Coast.
Song to sum up the match
Hogan's Heroes Theme Song
Simon Says …
“I loved the way we responded at that point when the scores got level. We were brilliant around the ball late in the game. I thought we were led brilliantly by Nathan Jones and Clayton Oliver. We had some great learnings from last week, especially defensively.” – Simon Goodwin
