MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column.

Summary
Yep, Sunday was a shocker, no question. But let’s not throw the toys out of the cot. It was far from the end of the world – or the season for that matter. Remember, Melbourne wasn’t playing an average team. It came up against an opponent that has made the finals all but twice since 2006. It’s also worth noting that a certain side that went down to St Kilda by 67 points in round 16 last year – the same margin Melbourne lost to against the Hawks on Sunday – ended up winning the flag. And for the record, Richmond was smashed by the Crows to the tune of 76 points in round six last year. The reason this has been highlighted is that just about every successful side will have a shocker or two each season. It’s not to suggest Melbourne is a successful side – yet. But aside from the weekend, 2018 has been positive for the Demons. In fact, had a Max Gawn set-shot kick gone through for goal in the dying stages of round one, the red and blue would’ve tasted defeat for the first time – in any format – on the weekend. But it wasn't to be. Quite simply, losses will occur. And there will be poor performances. The challenge of course is to limit those performances. And it starts with its response on Anzac Eve – against the team that turned its season around after a shocker against the Saints last year. 

How’s stat?
Four of Melbourne’s six goals came in the space of seven minutes – all in the first quarter. They happened between the four and 11-minute mark. But when Hawk Luke Breust landed his second major at the 32-minute mark of the opening term, it was the start of 16 goals to one for the rest of the match – a horrible stat for the Dees.

The number
21 – points was how much Melbourne led by at the 17-minute mark of the first quarter, when Angus Brayshaw registered a behind. At that stage, Melbourne looked firmly in control, having had eight scoring shots to two, and landing four goals to one. But by the end of the game, Hawthorn had achieved a remarkable 88-point turnaround.

Experience differential
Games: Hawthorn (2354) v Melbourne (2014)
Goals: Hawthorn (2155) v Melbourne (1202)
Average age: Hawthorn (26 years, 37 days) v Melbourne (25 years, 32 days)

Did you know …
That was Melbourne’s heaviest defeat under coach Simon Goodwin. Previously, it was a 46-point loss to the Adelaide Crows in round 17 at TIO Traeger Park last year.

3 votes: Nathan Jones
The co-captain was given the job of minding red-hot Hawk Tom Mitchell and he did it with aplomb. Mitchell still had 24 touches, but given he entered round three averaging 45.33 disposals per match this season – it was an outstanding effort by the triple best and fairest winner. Jones also finished with 20 touches. He was one to play his role. 

2 votes: Clayton Oliver
Battled hard and won a team-high 28 disposals, including 23 contested possessions. Oliver also had more tackles than any other Demon, laying 11 and was second to Hawk Liam Shiels, who had a game high 14.

1 vote: Dean Kent
Made a blistering start, booting three goals in the opening 11 minutes to help put Melbourne in front by almost four goals. Has booted seven goals in two appearances so far for Melbourne.  

Apologies to …
Christian Salem, Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan, who all could’ve been among the votes.

Good to see …
On a day where there were few positives, perhaps Nathan Jones’ leadership was enhanced with his commitment towards stopping one of the game’s best players: Tom Mitchell. Jones stuck to his task and it was a credit to him to play such a selfless role. He couldn’t have done much more against the Hawks on a dismal day for the Dees.

Oppo’s best: Liam Shiels
There were a few Hawks in contention, with Luke Breust (four goals) and Jaeger O’Meara (26 disposals and two goals) among them. But Shiels’ ability to ignite Hawthorn in the second and third terms – he won 22 of his 31 disposals during this period – was critical in his side’s win. His tackling and clearance work provided headaches for Melbourne.

Photo of the day

Tweet of the day

Facebook post of the day

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Video of the day

In the press box …
Which superstar media personality didn’t mind double-dipping his half-time party pie in the sauce bowl?

In the rooms ...
You could’ve heard a pin drop soon after the game. Every player sat against the wall in the rooms immediately after the match, looking shattered at what had just happened. It’s fair to the say the mood wasn’t great after the 11-goal-plus loss.

Song to sum up match
Step Back in Time – Kylie Minogue

Simon Says …
“It was [a] poor [performance]. I thought Hawthorn was terrific. They handled the conditions better and they structurally set-up better. It certainly didn’t reflect the way that we've played for a while now, so that was disappointing. We went away from some of the things that have been really critical to us. There were a lot of critical contests, where we weren’t to the level, so that’s disappointing, because we’ve spent a lot of time building that up as a footy club. That’s probably where the game was won in the end – they probably won both ends of the ground convincingly.” – Simon Goodwin