MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 40-point win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night …

1 – Double-figure wins achieved

Melbourne notched up 10 wins – the first time it has achieved double-figure wins – since 2006, which was the same season as the club’s most recent finals appearance. Coach Paul Roos said it was a big effort from his group. “To get our 10^th win is really significant, coming from two [wins in 2013] to four to seven to 10 – they’re significant steps, particularly when the group is going to stay together for a long period of time.”

2 – Best winning streak in six years

In the past three rounds, Melbourne has defeated the Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, meaning it has claimed three in a row for the first time since rounds 17 to 19, 2010. Back then Melbourne defeated Sydney Swans (then coached by Paul Roos) at the MCG, Brisbane Lions at the Gabba and Richmond at the MCG.

3 – Five-year streak snapped

Melbourne also notched up its first win over Port Adelaide since round 17, 2011, ending a seven-game losing streak. The red and blue’s most recent win came in Darwin.

4 – First win over Power in SA since 2000

Melbourne recorded just its third win over Port Adelaide in South Australia, with its only other two matches coming in round 20, 1998 and round eight, 2000, when both games were held at AAMI Stadium. It meant that Melbourne hadn’t defeated the Power in SA in 16 years and was therefore the red and blue’s first win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

5 – Setting up the win

After Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard kicked the first goal of the match, Melbourne set up its win from the 11-minute mark of the first term, when Tomas Bugg kicked the first of eight unanswered goals. Goals to Angus Brayshaw, Dean Kent, Bernie Vince followed before quarter-time, before Clayton Oliver, Sam Frost, Brayshaw again and Dom Tyson continued the goalkicking spree in the second term. Tyson’s goal at the 18-minute mark gave Melbourne a 43-point lead, which was its biggest of the match.

6 – Three out of four quarters won

Melbourne won three of its four quarters. It won the opening term by 19 points, the second quarter by three goals and the final by 18 points. Port Adelaide’s only quarter won was in the third term, by 15 points. Roos said it was a strong effort across the board. “We didn’t win the third quarter and we ended up winning by 40 points and had double the scoring shots and it probably should’ve been a 10-goal win. They came at us in the third and we were able to cope with it and go on and win the game. There were periods where the game was as physical as we’ve been involved in and that’s Port’s pattern – they can be a really physical side,” he said.

7 – A good spread of goalkickers again …

Melbourne almost had half of its side kick a goal on the weekend, with 10 players booting at least one major. For the record, Brayshaw kicked two goals, along with Bugg and Jeff Garlett, while Frost, Nathan Jones, Kent, Oliver, Tyson, Vince and Jack Watts landed one each.

8 – Oscar or Jayden for Rising Star nomination?

With Oliver, James Harmes and Christian Petracca receiving NAB AFL Rising Star nominations this year – don’t be surprised if one or both of Jayden Hunt and Oscar McDonald joins them by the season’s end – with either deserving of a gong this round. Both impressed yet again against Port Adelaide with McDonald claiming 23 disposals and an equal team-high five rebound 50s. Hunt had 20 touches and game-best eight inside 50s.

9 – Max for All-Aust, but who else?

If Max Gawn’s name hadn’t already been penciled in the All-Australian team, it was written in biro on the weekend. The ruckman smashed 48 hit outs and again shone with his contested marking. Five of his six marks were contested. But will there be any Melbourne players in the mix? Skipper Jones continued his fine season on the weekend with another 29 disposals, while the likes of Tyson, Jack Viney and Vince have had fine years. 

10 – What the coach says …

“It’s mathematically possible [to make the finals] but one of the things I’ve learned over the years – it’s a cliché but it’s true – is all you can do is worry about [winning against] Port [Adelaide, which we did and then] Carlton the week after. The ladder looks after itself; whatever happens – happens.” – Roos