1. The young Demons won't be overawed
You would've been excused for thinking Melbourne had 18 players with finals experience in a ferocious opening term, not Geelong. The Demons, fielding just four players with September matches to their names, ramped up the heat on the Cats, laying 22 tackles to 11 and keeping Geelong goalless to quarter time. Sam Weideman, who was only recalled for an injured Jesse Hogan in round 22, booted two goals and exposed Geelong talls Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson with his athleticism. One of Melbourne's best, Weideman drew arguably the biggest roar of the night, bringing down Patrick Dangerfield with a crunching tackle in front of the members in the third quarter.
2. Geelong needs a forward structure for finals
It looked a million bucks in final round wins of 235 points combined against Fremantle and Gold Coast. On Friday night, the Cats lacked any distinct avenue to goal. When it wasn't Tom Hawkins providing a chop-out for a long, pressured kick down the line, the Cats had little options in the air. First-year swingman Jack Henry lacked any physical presence as Demons defenders Oscar McDonald, Sam Frost and Michael Hibberd cleaned up at will. With Esava Ratugolea working back from a broken ankle mid-season, Chris Scott will have his magnet front and centre as a need for round one, 2019. When the ball hit the ground, Neville Jetta and Christian Salem did as they pleased, the Cats laying just six tackles in their forward 50 compared to Melbourne's 23. With Luke Dahlhaus set to join from the Western Bulldogs, the Cats will need more than just his aggression to make inroads in attack next season.
3. Geelong's preparation for finals doesn't work
For the third time in five finals, Geelong failed to kick a goal in the opening term. They had their chances in the first five minutes before Melbourne adjusted, and from there never looked likely for the remainder of the quarter. Chris Scott said the side was carrying its best bill of health for the season and most momentum into a finals series in recent times. It counted for little as the Demons kicked four goals to start the match, getting the heavily Melbourne-dominated crowd involved. Whatever the plan was over the 13-day break from the demolition of Fremantle, it needs to change.
4. Selwood owes Hawkins an apology
As Tom Hawkins lined up on a tough angle to put Geelong within 15 points in the third term, Cats skipper Joel Selwood handed Melbourne back the ball on a platter. Heading for a rest followed closely by his tag James Harmes, Selwood engaged in physical push and shove just metres out from the bench. When Demons' teammate Jake Melksham followed Harmes in, Selwood got Melksham high, emergency umpire Chris Donlon awarding a crucial free kick to the Demons. As Selwood trotted to the bench, Gary Ablett delivered Selwood a sharp reminder he had cost his team. With 14 disposals to his name at the final break, Selwood added 11 touches in the last quarter in an attempt to lift his team.
5. Simon Goodwin's call for co-captains worked
Nathan Jones would be the first to admit he was partly disappointed when Simon Goodwin came to him at the start of 2017 to inform him Jack Viney was going to join as a co-captain. 18 months later, they're working as well as ever. Viney returned for the first time since round 16 and amassed an equal game-high 11 tackles. Along with 20 disposals, his energy around stoppages got the ball rolling for the Demons, his side walking taller with his inclusion. While Jones picked up 15 disposals in a quiet night by his standards, a goal on the run early in the final term brought the Southern Stand to its feet, teammates flocking from everywhere with the game all but buried.
