Promising first half, third term shocker
No one could question the effort and intensity of Melbourne in the first half. It was easily its best performance from three rounds. But a poor third term proved costly in the finish. The Demons were down by 10 points at the main break, but trailed by 72 points entering the final change. West Coast’s dominance resulted in its best third quarter (11.3), eclipsing its previous best: 11.2 against the Bulldogs in round 13, 1991. Melbourne’s third terms have been poor this year, with the Demons booting 2.2 to the opposition’s 24.14 from three matches. The Demons have now lost their opening three rounds by an average losing margin of 107 points.

Why Jack Watts was on standby
Coach Mark Neeld clarified why emergency Jack Watts, who was omitted for round three, didn’t play for Casey against North Ballarat and instead was on standby at the MCG. Neeld revealed Watts almost gained a reprieve. “It’s always an awkward one when your VFL side – we’re an affiliate with Casey – plays at the same time. We always have discussions about how many carry over players [we need]. We certainly had one of our taller types under an injury cloud, and he needed to be able to have a runaround and get through the warm up. It would’ve been disastrous for the football club had that player not got through … and Jack Watts was in Ballarat – that’s the decision that we made. We feel that missing one VFL game for Jack Watts is not going to be a massive issue – he’s done all of the training and played a number of games. Clubs make those decisions with their VFL affiliates all the time.  It will happen again, but you just need to balance and make sure it doesn’t happen to the same players all the time.”

Howe does he keep doing it?
The Jeremy Howe highlights reel grew again this round, when he took a brilliant hanger over West Coast’s Andrew Embley. Howe ran back with the flight of the ball and then soared over the Eagle. Howe has taken so many remarkable marks now that it’s almost hard to remember them all, but this one will be right up there as one of his best.

Bargain draftees proving worth
They’ve been overlooked in many drafts, but after finally gaining their opportunities, mature age recruits Matt Jones and Dean Terlich have already shown they can cut it at this level. The duo has played just five matches combined, but Jones’ efforts in the midfield and Terlich’s dash out of defence were again evident. They combined for 45 disposals and showed they have the ability to become mainstays in Melbourne’s side for the long term. Jones was selected at No. 52, and Terlich at No. 68 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

Who’s No. 32?
You could almost be forgiven thinking ‘who is No.32?’, given that Michael Evans hasn’t worn that number in an AFL match until his return against the Eagles (he previously wore No. 50).  In fact, the last time Evans played for the Demons, he was coached by Dean Bailey. Before this round, Evans’ most recent match was in round 12, 2011. Not long after that match, Evans was sidelined with a back/hip injury, which also ruined his 2012 season. He managed just four VFL matches last year – yet he was an emergency in round 20 – but it wasn’t until his recall this round that he added his fifth AFL match. Given he’s had to work his way from the rookie list and overcome some serious injuries, it was a credit to him to return. And, although he didn’t win 27 disposals like he did in his first AFL match, he showed enough zip and promise to suggest that he could be an underrated ‘recruit’ this year. If persistence counts for anything, he’s got the goods.