MATT Burgan looks at some of the key stats, moments and stories to emerge from round seven

A dozen to the brown and gold

The Hawks have now won their past 12 matches against the Demons. Melbourne’s most recent win against Hawthorn came in round eight, 2006 when David Neitz kicked six goals. But this time around the great man was involved in a brown and gold win, given he’s now part of its coaching panel. It’s been an incredible run by the Hawks and a poor one by the Demons.

Roos’ worst loss as coach

In 230 matches as an AFL coach, Paul Roos had never lost a match by more than 100 points. It took his 231^st to gain the unwanted stat. Melbourne’s 105-point was his worst in the top job, eclipsing last year’s 93-point loss to the West Coast Eagles in round two at the MCG.

Good for five minutes

It’s hard to believe now, but Melbourne started the match in electrifying fashion, when it had two on the board and led by 12 points five minutes into the match. Jeff Garlett kicked the first and Cam Pedersen followed up with his first by the four minute mark. It was a most encouraging start by the Demons. But when Ryan Schoenmakers kicked truly for the Hawks at the six-minute mark, it was the start of eight in a row and a mammoth win by the brown and gold.

Just three goalkickers for the Dees

Entering time-on in the final quarter, Melbourne had just two goalkickers: Jeff Garlett and Cam Pedersen. Both players had booted three goals each. Then Rohan Bail became Melbourne’s third goalkicker at the 22-minute mark. It was just Melbourne’s seventh goal for the day and an unflattering statistic for the red and blue.

Cam’s call-up

One of the few positives from the match for Melbourne was the form of Cam Pedersen. He replaced the injured Jesse Hogan, who was a late withdrawal. Pedersen booted three goals and never stopped trying on a difficult day for the Demons.

Garlett proving to be a fine recruit

Jeff Garlett continued his impressive form, again from limited opportunities. The former Blue booted three goals to have 15 majors for the season. He is also leading Melbourne’s goalkicking after seven rounds. But had he converted better, he could’ve been right up among the top goalkickers in the competition, given he’s had 32 scoring shots this year.

35 to 15 scoring shots

The Hawks absolutely dominated on the scoreboard, having 20 more scoring shots. Hawthorn booted 24.11 to 7.8, including an eight goal quarter in the third term.

McDonald keeps on keeping on

Despite Melbourne’s performance, Tom McDonald continued to impress yet again. He had 22 disposals and was one of the few highlights from an otherwise bleak day for the Demons. Coach Paul Roos said McDonald was a true “professional” and “diligent” at his craft every week.

A tough trio

Melbourne has endured a torrid time against the three most recent Grand Final teams from 2012-14, having played Fremantle, Sydney Swans and Hawthorn in the past three weeks. It went down to Freo by 68 points, the Swans by 38 points and the Hawks by 105 points. Based on the winning margins, it will be fascinating to see if Hawthorn, Fremantle and then the Sydney Swans is that order at the season’s end.

And now for the Dogs …

The big test now for Melbourne is to bounce back hard against the much-improved Bulldogs. Now that the Demons have endured a tough three rounds, it must take it right up to the Dogs. Their recent contests have been tight and this one is sure to be another. Even in the NAB Challenge earlier this year, Melbourne just got over the line against the Dogs in Ballarat, so expect this one to be another close contest.