MATT Burgan looks at the key stats, moments and stories to emerge from round 18

Dees notch up sixth win

The win over the Magpies was Melbourne’s sixth for the season – another big step in the right direction. It’s hardly a number to continue deep into September, but given the past three seasons have produced two wins (2012), four (2013) and four (2014), it’s a genuine sign of improvement. With five more rounds, there is a great opportunity for Melbourne to equal or better its best effort in a season since its most recent finals appearance in 2006. If it wins eight, it will equal its 2010-11 effort. If it can achieve nine, it will be the best effort since 2006. It’s not a stellar statistic from a competition perspective, but a massive achievement, considering the club’s win/loss record from the past nine seasons.

First win over Pies since 2007

Having broken recent hoodoos against Geelong and the Brisbane Lions – the Demons hadn’t beaten the Cats since 2006 or the Lions since 2011 – Melbourne ended its drought against Collingwood. The Dees claimed their first win over the Pies since round 11, 2007. From those past 11 meetings, Melbourne had lost all but one when it drew with Collingwood in round 12, 2010.

Collingwood records its lowest score against Melbourne since 1988

The Demons managed to keep the Pies to a score of 7.12 (54) – Collingwood’s lowest against Melbourne since round 16, 1988, when the Maggies kicked 6.12 (48). And considering Collingwood has booted scores of 100 points-plus on 20 of the past 38 occasions since that match in 1988, it was a fair effort indeed!

Pies also record lowest score this year

The fact that Melbourne kept Collingwood to seven goals also meant it was the black and white’s lowest score of 2015. Coach Paul Roos spoke about the feat post-match and said the Demons were inspired by Richmond’s performance against the Hawks the night before on Friday. “We spoke about Richmond before the game, about how much improvement they’ve made as a team. They’ve been terrific. They’re a real chance because of the way they’re playing. They kept Hawthorn goalless for the first quarter and the third quarter. I like to acknowledge that to the team and then for those that have watched it – maybe it’s that little spark in the brain. They don’t often watch your own games back in its entirety, so a lot of times you’re taking something out of someone else’s game. It might have sparked some of them to think ‘gee, we did beat them a few weeks ago and they’re arguably playing the best footy in the comp at the moment. You’ve got to do a lot right to keep a team to seven goals like we did. They’re young and [Travis] Cloke’s out and clearly there’s reasons why they’re going through a bit of a tough patch.”

Contrasting crowds

Saturday’s crowd of 37,894 at the MCG was the lowest between the two sides since round 17, 1997, when a crowd of 37,779 watched them play. It was a far cry from round 10 when a crowd of 66,120 watched the Dees and Pies play at the MCG and rallied for Neale Daniher and his Big Freeze at the ‘G MND campaign. That match was the eighth biggest attendance for the 2015 season so far.

Enjoy the moment

It was great to hear Roos publicly endorse the importance of celebrating the win. Not in silly manner of course, but stressing that if wins aren’t enjoyed, then what the hell are we playing for? Sure, Melbourne still has a long road to travel in its journey to success, but it must smell the roses along the way. And it was great to hear Roos stress the point post-match. “The players have got to enjoy it because we haven’t had a lot of wins over the years, but with an eye to next week. It's going to be tough bit coming off a good win hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves [against North Melbourne next round].”

Berning hot

Bernie Vince continued his outstanding season and continued to enhance his All-Australian prospects with 30 disposals and three goals against Collingwood. Roos couldn’t speak highly enough of Vince’s form post-match. “His form this year has been really, really good. He just continues to play on good opposition players every single week, impact the contest and keep them relatively quiet. 'Pendles' (Scott Pendlebury) still had a good game but Bernie's [performance] was really critical in the outcome of the game. He's certainly been in a terrific vein of form for the best part of three months now."

Gawn is good

Big man Max Gawn continues to impress in the ruck. Roos also said his contribution with 32 hit outs against Collingwood duo Brodie Grundy (20 hit outs) and Jarrod Witts (15) was important. Gawn also had 17 disposals and took six marks to Witts’ 11 touches and Grundy’s 10. “He was really important. He marks it down the line, when he gets back into defence, as well as his stuff around the ball. And rucking one-out against two bona fide rucks was pretty good,” Roos said.

Jack on track

Jack Watts backed up his 25-disposal performance against St Kilda with a season-high 26 against the Pies to continue his good form. Watts started forward, then moved up to the wing and also spent time behind the ball and was a steadying influence. Roos said the 111-gamer has found his niche as a half-forward/wingman. “[He] played a really, really good game. He really set the scene for us early. He really cracked in. I’m so pleased that he’s played so well and he’s had a really consistent six or seven weeks of footy. If it's not his best game he’s ever played, certainly the way he played was really important. He set the scene when he started forward, crashed in, got some balls on the lead [and] made things happen, and that continued all day. He was very, very good. His ball movement was very good. It’s good that when we win he gets some reward [because] too often when we’ve lost he’s the one that’s been criticised. But over the last eight weeks when we’ve lost, everyone’s left him alone because he’s actually been really consistent,” he said.

And now for another hoodoo to end …

The Demons haven’t defeated the Kangaroos since round 20, 2006 – that’s the past 13 matches. It will be a massive scalp if Melbourne can overcome the in-form North Melbourne, which has won its past four matches. But it’s another great opportunity to overcome a quality opponent – and end another unwanted streak. Can it happen two weeks in a row? It’s a great opportunity and challenge for the Demons.