After three frustrating losses, Melbourne bounced back with an impressive 38-point victory – its third for the season and first since round two. Although the first half against was hardly one for the archives – both sides made a host of skill errors – Melbourne took full control after the main break, booting 13.4 to 6.6, including 8.3 to 2.4 in a dominant third quarter. The win means the Demons are back in eighth position after slipping to 10th last round. Melbourne’s 3-3 win/loss record after six rounds is also equal to last year’s start. And for the record, the red and blue has won three of its past six at Etihad Stadium – a vastly improved record, given it lost 22 in a row from 2007-15.
The stat
Last year, Melbourne averaged a score of 13.10 (88) per match. So far, this season, the Demons are on the cusp of the ton, averaging 99 points (14.12) per game. Although we’re only six rounds in, the most recent time Melbourne averaged 100 points or more in a season was 2002. Back then, the Demons averaged 103 points per game and played in two finals against the Kangaroos and Adelaide respectively.
Leather poisoning
Once again, Clayton Oliver starred in the disposals category, winning a game-high 33. Essendon’s Zach Merrett was next best with 32 possessions.
The number
6 – stood out significantly throughout the round six match. For starters, Melbourne won by a little more than six goals. Jordan Lewis, wearing No.6, came back from suspension with a bang. Melbourne had six former Essendon players/coaches involved in the match: Michael Hibberd and Jake Melksham; Simon Goodwin, Brendan McCartney, Craig Jennings and Matthew Egan. The Demons also kicked six goals in a row, when Cam Pedersen got the ball rolling at the 24-minute mark of the third term, until Mitch Hannan’s second at the three-minute mark of the final quarter. Jack Viney had a game-high six tackles and Essendon’s Joe Daniher booted six behinds, before he kicked his first goal.
Experience differential
Games: Melbourne (1921) v Essendon (1864)
Goals: Melbourne (1080) v Essendon (1074)
Average age: Melbourne (24 years, 331 days) v Essendon (24 years, 142 days)
Did you know …
Melbourne has played in front of an average crowd of 45,039 in six matches this season. Although there is still a long way to go in 2017, if Melbourne maintains a similar crowd average per game, it will be its best effort in a VFL/AFL season. The red and blue’s best average attendance per game is 41,762 in 1964 – its most recent premiership year.
3 votes: Cam Pedersen
Made a genuine impact in his first game of the season, playing as an undersized ruckman. Although Essendon opponent Tom Bellchambers won more hit outs (33 to 18), Pedersen had 10 more disposals – 19 to nine – and pushed forward to kick 1.2. With recognised ruckmen Max Gawn (hamstring) and Jake Spencer (shoulder) sidelined until after the mid-season break, Pedersen has become an integral part of the make-up.
2 votes: Clayton Oliver
Oliver continued to belie his age with another outstanding performance in the middle. He racked up a game-best 33 disposals, including 15 in the final term. It was the fourth time he has notched up 30 disposals or more in a match this season. He now averages 31.67 after six rounds. He has amassed 190 disposals for the season – the sixth best in the competition. He finished with a team-high 11 contested possessions.
1 vote: Jack Watts
Watts continued his impressive season with an equal career-best four goals, including two in the third term, when Melbourne set up its win. It was the fourth time Watts has booted four majors in an AFL match. For the record, 14 of Melbourne’s 17 goals came from four players. Along with Watts, Christian Petracca also kicked four, as Jeff Garlett and Mitch Hannan booted three goals each.
Submit your 3-2-1 votes to the Hertz Fans’ MVP
Apologies to …
Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca and Jordan Lewis, who all could’ve gained a vote.
Good to see …
Neville Jetta play his 100th AFL game. His journey to reach the ton hasn’t come easy – and all associated with the Demons were rapt to see the hard-at-it defender achieve his milestone. Jetta, who played 41 matches in his first five seasons, has been a mainstay since 2014 and become one of the more highly-regarded small defenders in the game. The fact he overcame a host of injuries, particularly early in his career, and being delisted and then reinstated via the rookie list to make it, is a testament to his character. Well done Nev!
Oppo’s best: Brendon Goddard
Michael Hurley had an excellent first half and was vying for Essendon’s best, but it was Goddard, who was outstanding across four quarters, winning 31 disposals, including a game-high 13 contested possessions. He also had 480 metres gained – the best by a Bomber. He is now just five games away from playing 300 AFL matches (205 with St Kilda and 90 with Essendon).
Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day
Neville Jetta runs out onto the field for his 100th match.
Tweet of the day
Hugs for dad! ð¯ #AFLDonsDees #RaiseHell pic.twitter.com/tHAIwJasvT
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) April 30, 2017
Instagram of the round
Video of the day
Turn up your volume all the way to the ð#RaiseHell #AFLDonsDees pic.twitter.com/sFu8HS21TW
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) April 30, 2017
In the mix
Injuries have mounted in recent weeks for Melbourne, but thankfully for the red and blue that eased up this round. No rush has been placed on Jesse Hogan, who did not play against Essendon, because of the sad passing of his father, Tony. Billy Stretch, Sam Weideman and James Harmes were the emergencies against the Dons and will again be around the selection mark. Josh Wagner, on the comeback trail from a thumb injury, impressed in the VFL and could be a chance. Dean Kent, Jack Trengove and Ben Kennedy were also among Casey’s best. Angus Brayshaw is likely to return to the VFL. But after several changes to the side in recent weeks, Melbourne might make minimal changes this week.
Next round
Melbourne returns to the MCG for its round seven clash against Hawthorn. The Demons managed to end a losing streak against the Hawks last year that stretched back to 2006 – it proved to be one of Melbourne’s best wins in 10 years. Now, remarkably, Hawthorn sits 17th on the ladder, with just one win for the season – over the West Coast Eagles at the MCG in round five. In fact, the Hawks’ past three losses have been by an average of 82.33 points – a phenomenal statistic, given they’ve won four flags in the past decade. Coach Simon Goodwin was adamant post-match after the win over Essendon that Hawthorn wouldn’t be taken lightly, and Melbourne would prepare for the brown and gold’s best. It will. But it will still be intriguing to see how it plays out.
In the press box …
The revamped Etihad Stadium media centre has upped the ante with its facilities this year – the full-size Four’N Twenty pies were again out in force. But the pre-match Bánh mì and sushi were much appreciated by those who got them quickly!
Saw in the rooms ...
The rooms were buzzing! Plenty of kids were amongst it all, particularly those sporting No.39 on the back of their jumper! Nev Jetta had a host of family and friends cheering him on. And it was great to see them down in the rooms post-match.
Song to sum up match
Jet – Paul McCartney and Wings
(In celebration of Neville Jetta’s 100th)
Simon Says …
“We've had some suspensions, some injuries and [we’ve] lost some key personnel, but I thought the boys were terrific [against Essendon].” – Simon Goodwin
