MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 33-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday …
1 – Finally … two in a row ticked off
It’s been a long time coming, but Melbourne notched up two successive wins – the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011 against Fremantle and Richmond, both at the MCG, respectively. This time, Melbourne broke the drought against Collingwood … and Richmond!
2 – Melbourne notches up three in a row against Tigers
Melbourne has now won its past three encounters against Richmond. The most recent time the red and blue went down to the Tigers was round eight, 2013. Coach Paul Roos has scored three out of three wins against Richmond since coaching Melbourne.
3 – Three consecutive tons
Melbourne has peeled off tons in the past three matches like Australian cricketer Adam Voges did last summer. And like Voges, Melbourne has had to wait a while to achieve the feat! Not since rounds 22 to 24, 2011, when Todd Viney was coach, has Melbourne registered 100 points or more in three consecutive matches. It has now posted 20.11 (131) against North Melbourne, 16.6 (102) against Collingwood and 20.9 (129) against Richmond respectively in the past three rounds.
4 – Strong first halves
Melbourne has now kicked 11 goals in the first half of the past three rounds. Until this season, its most recent 11-goal first half was round 13, 2012, when Melbourne booted 11.4 in its inaugural match against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.
5 – Good spread of goalkickers
Melbourne had half of its team kick at least one major, with Jeff Garlett topping the list with four goals. Bernie Vince and Jack Watts kicked three goals each, as Max Gawn and Dom Tyson chipped in with a couple apiece. Singles came via Angus Brayshaw, Tomas Bugg, Sam Frost, James Harmes, Dean Kent and Christian Salem.
6 – Double figure disposals for all 22 players
Every Melbourne player racked up at least 10 disposals against Richmond. Angus Brayshaw, Sam Frost and James Harmes had the fewest with 10 each, as seven players had 23 disposals or more: Jack Viney (37), Dom Tyson (31), Nathan Jones (26), Dean Kent (26), Tom McDonald (23), Christian Salem (23) and Bernie Vince (23).
7 – Jack notches up career-best numbers
Jack Viney has started the season in outstanding style. He entered round five with 22 AFLCA votes and was trailing just three players: Sydney’s Luke Parker (29 votes), Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch (28) and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell (23). Viney was also equal with North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell. After polling 10 votes last round, it will be fascinating to see if the hard-at-it midfielder gains another perfect score for his career-best 37-disposal performance against Richmond. This included a remarkable 23 contested possessions.
8 – Is Gawn is good
Max Gawn continued his outstanding season with 47 hit outs against Richmond. His past three matches, in particular, have been at an incredibly high standard. He also kicked two goals and had 18 touches, including 12 contested against the Tigers. Coach Paul Roos couldn’t speak highly enough of his big ruckman post-match. “He's playing some terrific footy. It takes time, Max has been around the club for a while and he’s had a lot of injuries. He forced his way into the team in the middle of last year and he had a terrific pre-season. I think he’s built on the back of last year and the pre-season. He’s become a very good player.”
9 – Kent’s best game for the club?
Dean Kent has been a welcome return to the side after he tore his hamstring against Richmond in the equivalent match last year. He had a career-best 26 disposals, plus eight inside 50s. Kent also booted a goal and had four scoring assists.
10 – What the coach says …
“We're still young and fluctuate a fair bit, but there’s no doubt the intent is far better. We made a conscious decision to bring in competitive players and I think we’re seeing that. It is a lot more consistent.” – Paul Roos