Summary

Saturday’s loss was incredibly frustrating, given it was the third time this season Melbourne has fallen short by four points or less. In fact, the Demons have lost five matches this year by 14 points or less. Overall, the red and blue has dropped eight games by an average of 18.25 points, highlighting the fact that it’s been in touch in just about every game this year. Once again, the Demons were involved in a nail-biting finish. At the 14-minute mark of the final term, Tom McDonald put Melbourne in front by one point. But when youngster Jy Simpkin replied at the 19-minute mark, North Melbourne was back in front. It proved to be the final goal of the match, giving North Melbourne a four-point win.

The stat

After registering eight goals to six in the first half, Melbourne managed just two goals after half-time, as North Melbourne booted five goals to secure victory.  

Leather poisoning

Clayton Oliver and Jordan Lewis had 33 disposals each, as North Melbourne’s Shaun Higgins had a team-high 28 touches.

The number

Unfortunately for the red and blue faithful, North Melbourne extended its winning streak to 17 in a row over Melbourne. It means the Demons haven’t beaten the Kangaroos since round 20, 2006 at the MCG. It also remains the longest current winning streak by any team in the competition.

Experience differential

Games: North Melbourne (1947) v Melbourne (1193)

Goals: North Melbourne (1781) v Melbourne (1103)

Average age: North Melbourne (25 years, 71 days) v Melbourne (24 years, 85 days)

Did you know …

Former North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow was the only player to have played on the weekend and in Melbourne’s most recent win over the Roos. Back on August 20, 2006, Swallow was playing his 10th AFL game. On Saturday, he played his 220th for the Roos and had 27 disposals. Interestingly, Drew Petrie and Daniel Wells, who both moved from North Melbourne to the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood respectively this season, also played in that match. Nathan Jones is the only remaining Demon to have played in that match, but missed his sixth match in succession due to injury.

3 votes: Clayton Oliver

Continued his excellent second season with his eighth 30-plus disposal performance – a remarkable achievement for a 20-year-old with 31 games to his name. Oliver had a remarkable 26 contested possessions from his 33 touches and had 12 clearances. Cracked in and gave his all on a tough day.

2 votes: Jordan Lewis

Despite the result, Lewis played one of his best games for the season. His experience and control once again stood out and on several occasion he set up attacks from half-back, finishing with six rebounds. From his 33 touches, 16 were contested possessions. It was the sixth time he’s notched up 30 disposals or more this year.

1 vote: Neville Jetta

Even by his courageous standards, Jetta bounced back from a massive blow early in the match to be one of Melbourne’s best. Copped a knee to the face in a contest with North Melbourne big man Majak Daw. The incident didn’t look good, but could’ve been far worse, yet Jetta remarkably bounced back to be one of Melbourne’s best.

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

Apologies to …

Dom Tyson, Max Gawn and Tom McDonald, who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Max Gawn play possibly his best game since coming back from a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss 10 weeks from rounds four to 13. The 2016 All-Australian ruckman has now played the past six games and has been building in recent weeks. He had 18 disposals and 52 hit outs on the weekend – his best return this season. Expect the big man to keep progressing in the latter stage of the season.  

Oppo’s best: Ben Brown

The key forward returned to his native state, where he shone yet again against the Dees. Brown booted four goals, including three in a row from the 21-minute mark of the opening term until 26 seconds into the second quarter. His fourth got the ball rolling for the Roos in the second half. He has now kicked 51 goals, including nine against the Demons this year.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Dom Tyson heads back to the rooms after warming up on the Bellerive Oval

Tweet of the day



Video of the day



Instagram of the day

Good to be back, Hobart! #AFLNorthDees #RaiseHell

A post shared by Melbourne Football Club (@melbournefc) on

In the mix

Melbourne will lose key forward Jesse Hogan with a shoulder injury, sustained against the Kangaroos, but the club is hopeful he will return before season’s end. Co-captain Nathan Jones (quadriceps) is a strong chance to play his first game since Melbourne’s round 13 win over the Western Bulldogs. Fellow leader Bernie Vince is also ready to return after being suspended for the past two matches. Corey Maynard, who was an emergency against North Melbourne, and flew to Hobart as Melbourne’s carryover player, will be right in contention to make his AFL debut after another fine game for Casey on Sunday. Expect one or both of Cam Pedersen (an emergency for the past two rounds after some fine form during Max Gawn’s absence) or Sam Weideman (three goals and 20 disposals for Casey) to come in for Hogan. Defender Josh Wagner will be around the mark, after being an emergency on the weekend and impressing in the VFL. Angus Brayshaw played his second match back for Casey and will keep chipping away; Billy Stretch is a chance.  

Next round

The nation’s capital is in for a treat on Saturday afternoon, as Melbourne takes on GWS Giants at UNSW Canberra Oval (aka Manuka Oval). It shapes as one of Melbourne’s biggest tests for the season – and one of its biggest games for 2017. The Demons haven’t played the Giants since round one, 2016 – that was March 26 last year. It’s eons in footy, so it will be fascinating to see how this match plays out. The Demons will be hurting after the loss to the Kangaroos, and the Giants have won just two of their past seven, which included back-to-back draws in rounds 15 and 16, a win over Fremantle at Spotless Stadium on Saturday. The third-placed Giants against the seventh-spot Demons: one to watch.

In the press box …

The ground at Blundstone Arena is known for its unique conditions and the press box is no exception. Located in a separate building, the room can only be accessed by exiting the stadium and then taking four flights of stairs. However, the journey there is worthwhile as the view on offer is impressive, looking out over the ground from directly behind the goals. Only a better result would’ve made the view even better!  

In the rooms ...

The Melbourne/Tassie link was strong in the rooms, with the presence of family and friends meeting up with the likes of defensive coordinator Jade Rawlings and past player Russell Robertson, who both hail from the Apple Isle. Several other Tasmanians connected to the club over the years were also at the ground and appeared post-match.

Song to sum up match

Wild Is The Wind – David Bowie

Simon Says …

“In the last quarter, North Melbourne did it better than what we did. It becomes a very basic game in a lot of ways, but they just executed it better than we did. Ultimately it simplifies it as well, it’s a meat-and-three-veg day, where you’ve got to get your hands dirty and just hang in there and hang in the contest and fight and scrap your way at times. – Simon Goodwin