Summary

There might’ve been 16 days in between matches, but Melbourne backed up its win over the Gold Coast Suns in Alice Springs with another come-from-behind win. After trailing by 30 points at the seven-minute mark of the third term against the Suns, Melbourne produced another fightback, this time against the Pies, when it was down by 28 points at the 19-minute mark of the second quarter. Trailing by 23 points at the main break, Melbourne booted 9.8 to 5.5 in the second half to win a thriller by four points. The win puts Melbourne ahead of the ledger with six wins from 11 matches. And after 12 rounds, the Demons are back in the eight in sixth position. The following graph shows the time of the match where the opposition has led and what the final margin has been for Melbourne.




The stat

Melbourne has now won its past four matches against Collingwood – something it hasn’t achieved against the Pies since 2004-07. The Demons have won their past four games against the Magpies by an average of 30.5 points. Melbourne’s best current winning streak (four) is now against its past two opponents – Collingwood and the Gold Coast Suns.

Leather poisoning

Clayton Oliver had a team-best 26 disposals and Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom had a game-high 32 possessions.  

The number

More than $4.5 million has been raised so far from this year’s Big Freeze 3, with the figure likely to climb, when late donations are factored in. The great Neale Daniher and his FightMND team sold 50,000 beanies, received $2 million from government contribution, more than $50,000 from the AHG raffle and $1 million from the public. Daniher’s Big Freeze campaigns have been far and away the biggest fundraising events in VFL/AFL history, with more than $12 million raised from the three Big Freezes. Daniher is hell bent on finding a cure for MND and this money will enable significant and vital research to be undertaken.

Experience differential

Games: Melbourne (2028) v Collingwood (1658)

Goals: Melbourne (1158) v Collingwood (1021)

Average age: Melbourne (25 years, 0 days) v Collingwood (23 years, 261 days)

Did you know …

Melbourne has kicked 104 points in its past two encounters against Collingwood? In last year’s Queen’s Birthday clash, Melbourne kicked 16.8 (104) and on Monday it booted 15.14 (104). It almost registered the same score three times in a row, when Melbourne 16.6 (102) in round four last year.

3 votes: Christian Petracca

It’s hard to go past the Neale Daniher Trophy winner, who relished the big stage and booted three goals in an outstanding display. Petracca received three votes from Jay Clark, three from Michael Gleeson and two from Tim Watson, giving him eight votes and the nod over Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom, who finished with six.

2 votes: Clayton Oliver

The 24-gamer came third in the Neale Daniher Trophy, claiming two votes from Gleeson, and one vote from Watson and Clark. It continued an outstanding season from the 19-year-old who has amassed 335 disposals at an average of 30.45 per game. He had a game-high 16 contested possessions and eight clearances.

1 vote: Nathan Jones 

The co-captain continued his fine season – and backed up his outstanding performance against the Gold Coast Suns, when he kicked three goals – with another 23 disposals and a team-best 12 tackles. He went past the great Todd Viney (233 games) this round to move into 11th position on Melbourne’s all-time games tally. Next week, he will equal Brett Lovett (235 games), who sits 10th – a great achievement.

Submit your 3-2-1 votes to the Hertz Fans’ MVP

Apologies to …

Dom Tyson, Michael Hibberd and Oscar McDonald who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Oscar McDonald play arguably his best game for the season – and according to Champion Data, it was. The young defender had 18 touches, but it was contested work and intercepts (13) that impressed. Still only 21 years old and with just 26 matches to his name, the emerging backman has taken on plenty in his developing career and will only continue to emerge. 

Oppo’s best: Steele Sidebottom

Sidebottom claimed three votes from Watson, two from Clark and one from Gleeson to finish second in the Neale Daniher Trophy. He was excellent for the Pies and was the only player in the match to amass more than 30 disposals. Sidebottom also booted two goals to be his side’s standout.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Tweet of the day


Instagram of the round

Video of the day

In the mix

Will he or won’t he return? That will be the question this week in regards to 2016 All-Australian Max Gawn, who is inching closer to a return, after being sidelined since round four with a hamstring injury. Josh Wagner, Billy Stretch and Ben Kennedy were among Casey’s best and could be around the mark. Ruckman Jake Spencer played his first game after six weeks out with a shoulder injury and might be a possibility – if Gawn is not quite ready. Jay Kennedy-Harris was an emergency against the Pies and might come into the equation. Again, it’s unlikely many changes will be made after back-to-back wins. But all eyes will be on Gawn and if he plays.

Next round

Melbourne returns to Etihad Stadium for the fourth time this year, where it has won two of its past three at the venue, which previously held grave fears for the red and blue. But the 2017 Melbourne outfit has adapted strongly to Docklands, and although it faces a tough encounter against last year’s premiers, it won’t have any fears either. It looms as a fascinating contest, given the Bulldogs have won just two of their past six. But those two wins were at Docklands. In fact, the Dogs’ past five wins have been at Etihad Stadium this year. It will be another test for the Demons as they aim for three in a row for the first time this year – and for the first time since rounds 19 to 21, 2016.    

In the press box …

The Queen’s Birthday blockbuster brought out all the big guns in the press box. The likes of Mark Robinson, Jay Clark, Peter Ryan, Ashley Browne and Michael Gleeson were there … as was four-time premiership coach David Parkin.

Saw in the rooms ...

Which boundary rider accidentally walked in front of the camera, when a post-match interview was being conducted in the victorious, yet busy Melbourne rooms? The highly-respected media-type was apologetic!

Song to sum up match

Happy Jack – The Who

Simon Says …

“It’s a bit of relief, that’s for sure. It was a pretty big game for the footy club, big stage. The resilience that the boys showed, and the spirit that they’re building whenever we’re down in a game – they can manage to find a way to come back, which is something that’s been there the whole year.”