MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 55-point loss against the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Sunday
1 – Heaviest conditions, heaviest loss for season
In wet, rainy conditions, Melbourne suffered its biggest loss for the season – a 55-point defeat. It was the first time this season Melbourne has lost by more than 50 points. Last year, it lost by 50 points or more six times.
2 – A big difference in age/games experience
The Swans flexed their muscle in the games and age stakes. Sydney fielded a side with 2078 games experience, whereas Melbourne had 1393. The Swans averaged a side of 25 years, two days to Melbourne’s 23 years, 165 days.
3 – Final term sets up Sydney victory
Although Melbourne trailed by 25 points at three quarter-time, the door was still slightly ajar. But that all changed when the Swans booted five goals in seven minutes from the five-minute mark until the 13-minute mark in the final term. Overall in the last term, the Swans booted 6.1 to 1.1 to claim a comprehensive win.
4 – A new record set
Sydney laid a staggering 155 tackles – a new record set in an AFL match. Three players reached double-figures: Luke Parker (17), Isaac Heeney (14) and Jarrad McVeigh (10). Coach Paul Roos said it was a remarkable achievement. “It’s a big tackle number, but what it does mean is that you’re working really hard … Lukey Parker had 17, which is a terrific effort and young Isaac Heeney had 14, so 31 between two players is pretty good.”
5 – Three players notch up most disposals
The most disposals won by a player in the match were 28. Bernie Vince claimed 28 for Melbourne and two Swans – Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy – also had 28 possessions each.
6 – Gawn shines again
Ruckman Max Gawn had a whopping 58 hit outs – his equal second best effort in an AFL match. His best remains 63 against North Melbourne in round three, this year at Blundstone Arena. Overall, Melbourne had 66 hit outs to 29.
7 – Nathan and Zak meet for the first time in an AFL match
They came up against each other for the time in an AFL match and in the end it was Zak Jones who got the bragging rights over Nathan. Both won 25 disposals each. Nathan had 16 contested possessions and Zak had 17 uncontested possessions. Nathan won six clearances and six inside 50s, while Zak had four rebounds and claimed 14 more player ranking points, according to Champion Data.
8 – Roos says farewell to the SCG
It’s somewhat coincidental that Roos coached the Swans 72 times at the SCG and guided the club to its first flag in 72 in 2005. On the weekend, Roos coached his 73rd game at the SCG – and for what appears to be the final time. It was also the first time he has coached against the Swans at the venue, where he played such a pivotal part in the Swans’ history. Interestingly, 73 points was the greatest losing margin Roos suffered as a Sydney coach – at the hands of Melbourne at the MCG in round 10, 2010.
9 – Sydney one of the best
After 13 rounds, the Swans sit second on the ladder with 10 wins and three losses. They are proving to be one of the teams to beat this season and judging by their talent, experience and overall work-ethic, they will be right there at the pointy end of the season.
10 – What the coach says …
“Their midfield group is really experienced. You know the way they’re going to play, and they’re going to try and outnumber. They’re going to work hard from contest to contest and they were really physical all day. It definitely takes a toll on a young team and if they don’t drop off, our guys don’t get much of a respite. If we drop off, they keep going and that’s what happened in the last quarter. It does take a toll on a young group – there’s no doubt about that.” – Paul Roos
