MATT Burgan looks at the key stats, moments and stories to emerge from round 15
Good scoring shots – poor conversion
Melbourne’s 25 scoring shots (7.18) was its third most in front of goal this year. It’s just that its conversion was most disappointing. Only its round one performance against the Gold Coast Suns (17.13) and its round eight effort against the Western Bulldogs (15.13) were better. On the flip side, Essendon had 19 scoring shots in total (10.9) but won by nine points.
Third quarter sets up Essendon win
Essendon’s third term was critical in the result. Joe Daniher turned it on for the Dons with three of his five goals in this period, helping his side to a 24-point lead. But the fact that the Bombers booted five in a row from the six-minute mark until the 24-minute mark was the catalyst for their fifth win of the season. Essendon’s accuracy was also crucial. For the record, Jesse Hogan was Melbourne’s lone goalkicking in this term.
60 points again
The Demons notched up 60 points for the second successive week. Melbourne also achieved the same score against the West Coast Eagles in its loss at TIO Stadium in round 14. But the Dees booted 9.6 (60) against the Eagles, as opposed to 7.18 (60) against the Dons.
Two missed opportunities
In many ways, Melbourne should’ve notched up at least its sixth win for the season on the weekend. In recent weeks, the Demons have let two matches slip through their fingers with the two-point loss against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium and the nine-point loss against the Bombers.
13 Demons register scores
Melbourne had 13 players register scores against the Bombers, but only seven players converted goals – and they were all singles. The goalkickers were: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Dom Tyson and Aaron vandenBerg.
Gawn achieves new PB with 58 hit outs
It was almost a year to the day that Max Gawn notched up a whopping 80 hit outs against Bendigo Gold in the VFL last year. And on Saturday, he easily achieved his best PB in the AFL with 58 hit outs against Essendon. The man mountain has played the past five matches and is growing his game strongly.
Vince has four of past five matches – 30-plus disposals
If he’s not in career best form, then he is mighty close. Vince has been outstanding for the Demons in recent weeks, notching up 171 disposals in his past five matches at an average of 34.2. His 35-disposal effort against the Bombers was the fourth time in five matches he has won 30 or more possessions. For the record, he had 34 against Collingwood, 38 against St Kilda, 38 against Geelong, 26 against West Coast Eagles and 35 against Essendon. Could All-Australian honours be in the pipeline? Watch this space …
Well done Harmesy!
He wasn’t best-on-ground and didn’t kick a bag, but there was plenty to like about James Harmes’ first AFL match. The rookie had nine touches, threw his body in and gave a couple of strong bumps and made a few tackles, giving the Melbourne fans another youngster to keep an eye on. He has come a long way in his two seasons at the club and expect him to want more now that he’s had the taste.
The quote …
“If you kick 7.18, it makes it really, really hard because you've got to keep the other team to a pretty low score.We did a lot of things right, but against Geelong we kicked 18.5, and to kick 7.18 just makes it really difficult to win the game.” – Paul Roos
And now for the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda …
Round 15 against Essendon was the start of what seemed to be three genuinely winnable matches for Melbourne. With the Dons having lost their past five – and the Demons having won four of their previous five over Essendon – it was a great opportunity. But with the result not going Melbourne’s way and the game now behind it, the Demons have the chance to bounce back against the Brisbane Lions this Sunday – but again, it won’t be easy. The Lions, although on the bottom of the ladder, have won their past five against Melbourne and have pushed Fremantle and the Sydney Swans in their previous two matches – before Freo and the Swans overcame the Lions in the final terms. This is a match Melbourne must make the most of, before it sets up another rematch against St Kilda. A fascinating two weeks awaits the Demons.
