PARDON the pun, but in black and white terms, you couldn’t have asked for a better day at the footy on Monday, certainly from a Melbourne perspective.

In front of more than 60,000 fans – a fair effort given there were no car parks available at the MCG, due to inclement weather in the lead-up – Melbourne notched up its first QB win since 2007.

And the pre-match festivities, including the ‘AHG Walk to the ‘G’ from Federation Square and then ‘Big Freeze 2’ were again an outstanding success.

The community spirit that was generated for former Essendon star and Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, who is fighting motor neurone disease and now dedicating his time to raise funds and help find a cure for MND, was stirring.

At last count, the campaign has netted more than $2.8 million – a remarkable achievement.  

The 11 celebrities – Samantha Armytage, Jonathan Brown, Dave Hughes, David Koch, Anthony Lehmann, Cameron Ling, Matthew Lloyd, Eddie McGuire, Matthew Richardson, Kevin Sheedy and Gerard Whateley – to head down the slippery dip and into the icy cold water added some great theatre.

It wasn’t rocket science entertainment, but it was good fun. 

Once the match was under way, the story of the day kept going.

Jack Viney toe-poked the first goal of the match, just 58 seconds in.

It was an incredible start, given Viney shouldn’t have been playing in many respects.

But due to his tenacity, courage and sheer will to overcome adversity, he was out there, just one week after fracturing his knucklebone. In fact, he probably would’ve played last round had he not been on an enforced one-match layoff, due to a striking suspension.

Viney ended up winning 30 disposals for the day and being among Melbourne’s best. And it was a performance he was pleased with given his situation.  

“When I first got told that it was four weeks and I wouldn’t be back until after the bye, I was pretty disappointed but I must be a pretty quick healer, thankfully,” he said.

“I think straight after the Hawthorn game, when I was in my cast … on my way out of the changerooms with the doctors and the physios, I said ‘I could be a chance for Queen’s Birthday’ and they chuckled at me. But then, come Monday, when I saw the surgeon, they knew I was serious.

“So we asked all the questions and ticked every single box that I needed to do to get up. It’s been a really, really good week and I’ve had a lot of help along the way, so it’s a great team effort to get me up and right.”

Along with Viney, there were several outstanding individual performances.

Max Gawn continued his outstanding season and was duly rewarded with the Neale Daniher Trophy for his best-on-ground display.

A personal-best 27 disposals, three goals and 31 hit outs was a super return.

Reigning best-and-fairest winner Bernie Vince keeps on keeping on and amassed a career-best 42 disposals, reinforcing what a fantastic acquisition he’s been since crossing from the Crows.

Skipper Nathan Jones continued his highly consistent form with 31 touches and Ben Kennedy played arguably his finest AFL game yet with a personal-high 29 disposals. Dom Tyson has also been one of Melbourne’s best in the past two weeks and had another 29 possessions.

In the end, Melbourne overcame its 12-point deficit to kick seven goals to one in the second term.

It set up the victory, which was 46 points – and Melbourne’s sixth win of the season.

The victory also came on the big stage – and like its win over Richmond on ANZAC Day eve – it was another important step for the emerging Melbourne under strong focus.

Days like this have been few and far between for Melbourne in recent years, but there is no doubt there will be more big stages and sub-plot stories along the journey.

It’s made coming to the footy – and barracking for Melbourne – a great and exciting time.

But football aside for one second, it was great to see so much goodwill from Melbourne, Collingwood and the footy public at large with Daniher’s cause.

‘The Reverend’ gave so much to the red and blue for the best part of a decade and it’s just so tragic to see his situation, but so uplifting at the same time.

If the club can bottle up a bit of his spirit on its journey, it will only add make the ride even more worthwhile.