MATT Burgan looks at the key stats, moments and stories to emerge from round 21
One of the most disappointing losses for the season
It could only be described that way. Melbourne started slowly yet again, after poor starts against North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs the previous two rounds. Trailing by 53 points in the second quarter and again early in the third term, the Demons got back to within 17 points, but it was little too late. In the end, Melbourne lost by 23 points to Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.
Poor first half
Melbourne booted 2.3 to 10.2 in the first half to trail by 47 points at the main break. It was a dismal display and ultimately cost Melbourne the match.
Third term impressive … again
Melbourne produced a strong third term, booting 4.6 to 1.1, but again it was too late. Although the Demons managed five in a row from the 13-minute mark of the second quarter until the opening minute of the final term, the damage had been done.
Dees have more inside 50s and more scoring shots
Of the more frustrating statistics to emerge from the weekend was the fact that Melbourne had more inside 50s (53 to 40) and more scoring shots (20 to 18) than Carlton. Melbourne booted 7.13 to 12.6.
Roos frustrated by gap
Coach Paul Roos couldn’t hide his frustration about his side’s best and worst when he spoke about the performance post-match. “What it shows is what we've said for most of the year … our best is very good and our worst is still as bad as what it was. The top end we've improved a lot and the bottom end we haven't been able to improve at all,” he said.
Grimes and Michie battle hard
It hasn’t been easy seasons for Jack Grimes and Viv Michie, but they were two Demons who had a genuine crack. Grimes finished with an equal team-high 25 disposals and Michie had 21 touches.
Changes to the team?
Roos was asked post-match whether several changes would be made to the side for round 22. It will be fascinating to see, given Melbourne will be tackling the top of the ladder Fremantle next round. Roos said it was unlikely that many changes would be made, given several injuries at this time of the year. “You’re really limited in who you can pick at this time of year, so it’s going to be hard to make too many changes,” he said.
The quote …
“It's unbelieveably disappointing. It's incredibly disappointing,” Paul Roos said post-match on the loss.
Two more matches …
Melbourne faces Fremantle at Domain Stadium next Sunday and then Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium in the final round, before its season finishes. The clash against Freo will be an incredibly difficult encounter, but one the Dees must tackle head-on. Then it has its final ‘home’ match at Docklands against the much-improved Giants. Both won’t be easy, but the Dees must find something and showed some fight in the final two rounds.
… And a key milestone coming up
Skipper Nathan Jones will notch up his 200th AFL match against Fremantle – an outstanding achievement for the skipper and three-time best and fairest winner.
