DID MELBOURNE lose the unlosable on the weekend?

I’m not sure there is such a thing in the AFL – the competition can throw up so many scenarios these days – but by all accounts, Melbourne should have defeated Essendon on Saturday, given the opportunities it had.

When you have 25 scoring shots to 19 and more inside 50s (58 to 45), the odds are you’re going to win. But in the end, it wasn’t to be. Sloppy kicking inside 50 and too many clangers in front of goal made sure of that.

Melbourne simply squandered too many chances up forward, booting 7.18 to 10.9 and it resulted in a nine-point victory to the Bombers – ending a five-game losing streak for the Dons.

Essendon took its chances, highlighted by five straight goals from Joe Daniher, who landed three of his goals in the third quarter. It was in this period when the Dons booted 6.3 to 1.4 to set up its victory.

Yet it was the second quarter that really cost the Demons, when they booted 2.6 to 2.1, which proved critical. Eight scoring shots to three should have produced a better result for Melbourne.

In combining the second and third quarters, the red and blue actually had one more scoring shot than Essendon (13 to 12). And aside from an even opening term, when both sides booted 1.9 each, it was also Melbourne’s final term, when it had eight scoring shots and booted 3.5 to 1.2 that was another lost opportunity.

For the 15^th placed Demons, it was the start of a three-game block that potentially could have produced three wins against Essendon (14^th on the ladder), Brisbane Lions (18^th) and St Kilda (13^th).

Now the best it can be is two from three. One from three would be frustrating. Zero wins would be extremely disappointing.  

The Demons are starting favourites against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, according to the bookies, and it would appear to be a 50/50 contest against St Kilda in round 17, given just two points separated the two, only a month ago. But Melbourne also has to overcome the fact it hasn’t beaten the Lions in their past five outings, since 2011, or St Kilda since 2006. These hurdles must be jumped.

While there is no disputing that Essendon thoroughly deserved its win upon reflection, there is no doubt Melbourne shouldn’t have let the match pan out the way it did.  

The Demons even fielded a more experienced team on the weekend – both in terms of age and games experience. The Demons had 1847 games experience to Essendon’s 1585.

It highlighted how many experienced players were missing for the Dons – such as Jobe Watson, Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Melksham, Jason Winderlich, Paul Chapman and Adam Cooney – given Essendon entered 2015 in the top four for age and games experience in the AFL.

And let’s be clear, yes, it was a most frustrating result on the weekend, but it was far from a disaster losing to Essendon. Remember, many believed the Dons were primed for a top eight finish again this year, after playing finals in 2014. And the Bombers did defeat Hawthorn in round two – although Tom Bellchambers, Carlisle, Chapman, Colyer, Cooney, Melksham and Watson were part of that win. They weren’t against the Demons, with Alex Browne, Shaun Edwards, Jayden Laverde, Shaun McKernan, Jackson Merrett, Nick O’Brien and Ariel Steinberg their replacements.

In summary, plenty will be taken from Melbourne’s loss.

The Demons are again favourites for the second week in a row. It’s hard to remember when this last happened.

This time, Melbourne has another chance to capitalise on its favouritism status.

It’s another crucial opportunity in its development and journey. And it’s one that must be pounced upon.

We await, with interest, the response.