MATT Burgan looks at the key stats, moments and stories to emerge from round 12

Melbourne ends 10-game losing streak against Geelong

After enduring some miserable losses against the Cats, since the two sides drew in round 21, 2006, the Demons achieved one of their finest wins of the past 10 years. Melbourne’s 24-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium was its first win over the Cats since round six, 2006, when the Demons won by a goal at the MCG. Coincidentally, it also happened to be Lynden Dunn’s first AFL match. In his 151^st AFL match, Dunn achieved his second win against the Cats and was the only remaining Demon to play in both contests. Mark Jamar also played in that game back in 2006, but played for Casey in the VFL on the weekend. Former Demon Jared Rivers, now with Geelong, also played in both contests. For the record, Melbourne’s average losing margin in those 10 matches was 70.4 points per game.

Melbourne breaks the drought at Cattery

Not since Russell Robertson booted seven goals against opponents Matthew Scarlett and Max Rooke, and Neale Daniher was coach, has Melbourne tasted victory at the Cattery. That was back in round 20, 2005 when the Demons broke a 10-game losing streak at Kardinia Park. This time around, the streak was six losses at Simonds Stadium. Importantly, Melbourne helped erase some of the memory from that day back in 2011. Interestingly, only four players featured in that match and this win: Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe, Nathan Jones and Jack Watts. Four others remain on Melbourne’s list, but did not play for different reasons: Colin Garland, Mark Jamar, Jordie McKenzie and Jack Trengove. And former Demon and now Cat Jared Rivers was the only player from both games to play in losses.  

Well done Corey!

It was a significant day for one of the most underrated players of the modern era: Geelong defender Corey Enright. Although his day was soured by the Demons (thankfully, for the red and blue faithful), it was a great sight to see both teams form a guard of honour post-match for Geelong’s third 300-game player, behind Ian Nankervis (325 matches) and John ‘Sam’ Newman (300). Interestingly, five greats have played their 300^th VFL/AFL match against Melbourne – yet all have played in losing sides. They are:

• Round 12, 2015, Corey Enright (Geelong), Melbourne won by 24 points at Simonds Stadium
• Round 13, 1984, Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn), Melbourne won by 17 points at Princes Park
• Round 21, 2012, Luke Power (Greater Western Sydney), Melbourne won by 25 points at Manuka Oval
• Round 15, 2000, Paul Salmon (Hawthorn), Melbourne won by 69 points at the MCG
• Round 13, 1980, Len Thompson (Fitzroy), Melbourne won by 12 points at the MCG

What a game from big Max!

Max Gawn played the game of his life against the Cats. The giant ruckman helped set-up Melbourne’s early advantage and was critical in the win. By half-time, he was ranked best-on-ground according to Champion Data, having had 13 disposals (including 12 contested), seven marks (six contested), four inside 50s, 14 hit outs and a goal. It was an outstanding effort. In the end, Gawn had 19 touches, eight marks, five inside 50s, 44 hit outs and a goal. And it was just the tonic the big man needed. And special mention must be made to his partner in crime for the day, Jake Spencer, who had 25 hit outs and also chipped in with a goal, after taking an outstanding contested grab.

Jack Viney v Joel Selwood

Viney’s run-with role on superstar Selwood was one of the features of the match. It was a battle of two competitive beasts, with Viney playing arguably his finest AFL match. He notched up 28 disposals and kept Selwood to 17 touches. Viney said it was a role he relished, once given by the coaches in the lead-up to the match. And it proved to be an intense match-up, as Viney and Selwood gave each other plenty. At one stage, when Viney followed Selwood to the interchange – as the Geelong skipper went off under the blood rule – the bating between each other further emphasised the intensity of the contest. As Viney told Dee TV after the match: “After a while, he was probably getting a bit upset and a few elbows were flying around and a few words were being spoken, so I love that s***. It fires me up and got me going, so it’s all good,” he said.

Vince in berning form!

Vince continued his exceptional recent run, with his third consecutive 30-plus disposal performance. The former Crow notched up 38 disposals against the Cats, on the back of his 38 touches against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in round 11. Those two performances are equal second best to Vince’s 41-disposal effort against North Melbourne in round 14 last year. He also kicked three goals in that match and earned three Brownlow Medal votes. Vince’s hat-trick of 30-plus disposal performances started against Collingwood in round 10, when he claimed 34 touches, giving him 110 disposals in the past three weeks.  

Dunny goes bang!

What about Lynden Dunn’s mammoth kick-in during the third term? It was a thumping kick, which is believed to have registered 76.2 metres. Long kicking has been a feature over his career, with some of his booming punts from defence an important part of Melbourne’s play. Dunn also produced an outstanding game on gun Geelong forward Tom Hawkins. The Melbourne vice-captain had 26 disposals and five intercept marks, as Hawkins kicked two goals. It was another fine display for the 151-gamer.

‘Nibbler’ kicks three in second game

After making his AFL debut against St Kilda last round, Alex Neal Bullen upped the ante with an impressive display against the Cats. He booted three goals, including two in the first quarter and couldn’t hide his excitement about playing in his first win, proclaiming it was “definitely the best day of my life”. Oh, and if you’re wondering why his nickname is Nibbler, well, if you say Neal-Bullen really quickly and over and over again – it apparently turns from Neal-Bullen to Nibbler! (I can almost hear you trying to now!)

A genuine team effort 

One of the most pleasing aspects of the win was that Melbourne had 22 contributors. Even Jeremy Howe, who didn’t register a possession in the first quarter, still impacted with his ability to bring the ball to ground. He was later rewarded in the second half with two goals. But it was players such as Max Gawn, Rohan Bail, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Matt Jones, Jake Spencer and Aidan Riley, who have played 27 matches between them this year that played their role.  It was another important step for this group, which is at different stages of their career, but is eager to cement a place in the 22.

Not a bad effort with a cricket team sidelined!

Melbourne had a ‘cricket-sized squad’ of 12 players sidelined through injury on the weekend – the most it’s had in one particular round this year. With more than a quarter of its squad out, it also reinforced that there were some pretty handy players out through injury: Sam Frost, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Jesse Hogan, Jayden Hunt, Dean Kent, Ben Newton, Cam Pedersen, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem, Jack Trengove and Aaron vandenBerg. And when you consider Jay Kennedy-Harris has played the past two matches in the AFL Victoria Development League and VFL respectively, as he works his way back from a groin injury, it only reinforced that the depth is building at the club.