MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column.
Summary
Not since Melbourne’s most recent finals win over St Kilda in 2006 has there been a better day for the red and blue faithful. Melbourne’s mighty win in the west secured the club’s first finals campaign in 12 years, giving everyone who bleeds red and blue a moment to remember. Who the Demons play, where and when, remains to be seen, but it doesn’t matter for the time being – this is a moment to savior for everyone associated with the club. Since 2007, it’s been one hell of a ride, but since 2013 – when the club finished with two wins – there has been progress every season and a climb up the ladder. Yes, there is still another home-and-away match remaining against GWS Giants at the MCG, but the fact that Melbourne has progressed again, under the Simon Goodwin-coached team, only reinforces that the club remains right on track. It’s been a slow and steady climb, but moments like these – particularly at a venue Melbourne had not played at – was significant. It beat the second-placed West Coast, withstood the pressure and claimed one of the club’s best wins of the modern era. Given the evenness of the competition, anything could happen in the next few weeks. Melbourne fans will dare to dream – and so they should. The belief gained from that win may have been the missing ingredient from Melbourne’s season so far. Time will tell. But dare to dream.
How’s stat?
West Coast only led for a tick over three minutes for the match, when Mark LeCras put the Eagles in front for the first time at the 18-minute mark of the final term. But when Jake Melksham bobbed up with his third major at the 21-minute, Dean Kent kicked truly at the 26-minute mark and Melksham landed his fourth at the 28-minute mark, Melbourne secured a famous 17-point victory.
The number
4357 – days since Melbourne played its last final against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on 15 September 2006.
Experience differential
Games: West Coast Eagles (2368) v Melbourne (1964)
Goals: West Coast Eagles (1685) v Melbourne (968)
Average age: West Coast Eagles (25 years, 287 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 266 days)
Did you know …
Nathan Jones played his 260th AFL game against West Coast, meaning he became just the fifth player in Melbourne’s history to reach this game tally. Only David Neitz (306 games), Robert Flower (272), Adem Yze (271) and Jim Stynes (264) have played more for the club. Yet remarkably, Jones hasn’t played a final since his seventh and eighth AFL game, when he made played against St Kilda and Fremantle – Melbourne’s most recent finals – back in 2006.
3 votes: Max Gawn
Surely, more Brownlow Medal votes are on the way for the giant ruckman, after he was arguably best-on-ground with 20 disposals, five marks (including three contested) and 39 hit outs. Outstanding yet again.
2 votes: James Harmes
Harmes’ past month has arguably been career-best. He has taken his game to another level and that was on show again with 28 disposals, including 14 contested. He also had five inside 50s and chipped in with a goal.
1 vote: Angus Brayshaw
Continues to shine in his best season yet, claiming 26 disposals, including 14 contested possessions. Had an equal game-high 10 tackles and kicked a goal to start the second term.
Apologies to …
Jake Melksham, Mitch Hannan, Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Tom McDonald and Dom Tyson who all could’ve been among the votes.
Good to see …
Everyone who loves the club have a moment they’ll never forget. A win like that does wonders and to have Melbourne in this year’s finals is something all red and blue fans have been waiting for since Neale Daniher last guided the Demons to September.
Oppo’s best: Elliot Yeo
Not a clear standout for West Coast, although Yeo had 23 touches, nine marks, laid 11 tackles and kicked a goal. Jack Redden, Dom Sheed and Willie Rioli also had their claims.
Pic of the day
A tender moment between Max Gawn and Nathan Jones after the song. Jones has not played in a final since he was 18-years-old (Photo: Paul Kane)
Facebook post of the day
Instagram photo of the day
Tweet of the day
Turn that sound UP! #RaiseHell #AFLEaglesDees pic.twitter.com/hRXcM7WiIh
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) August 19, 2018
Video of the day
In the mix
Melbourne appears to have come through unscathed and it’s hard to see many changes for its last home and away match of the season against the Giants. Cam Pedersen and Jay Kennedy Harris were the travelling emergencies and are the most likely contenders, with Jeff Garlett and Josh Wagner also in the mix. Tom Bugg was good for Casey, while Joel Smith is not without a chance to play – if he can overcome a collarbone injury.
Next round
Although Melbourne has locked in finals, there is an outside chance that it could claim a top four spot – but that would mean a win and a Fremantle upset over Collingwood in the west. Even if it doesn’t claim a top four berth, Melbourne could host a home final at the MCG if they win. Moreover, the Demons will be brimming with confidence against GWS, even though it will be another tough encounter.
In the rooms
Song to sum up the match
The Final(s) Countdown - Europe
Simon Says …
“I'm just so happy for our supporters right now. They've had 12 years of misery but now they've got a team that they can really get in behind and support and build some momentum from here. Clearly as a club we've had a lot of expectation put on us and not playing finals for 12 years, we carry a lot of that expectation as a team. This has been a new playing group for a while now and they've carried that expectation and they've owned it. There's been a lot of challenges along the way, but to continue to stay in the moment like they did today was terrific … It's a big step for our footy club and a really important one and something they should be incredibly proud of.” – Simon Goodwin
