MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s five-point loss to North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena on Sunday …

10 years on …

Although Melbourne’s losing streak against North Melbourne has now extended to 15 consecutive losses, Sunday’s five-point loss to the Roos at Blundstone Arena was the second closest the club has come to beating the Kangas since round 20, 2006. Back then Melbourne won by 50 points. For the record, North Melbourne’s one-point win over Melbourne in round nine, 2007 was the closest the red and blue has come to beating the Kangas in 10 years. Interestingly, the only players to have played in both Sunday’s clash and the round 20, 2006 match were Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones, plus North Melbourne players Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells.

Boony kicking goals

The Southern Stand at Bellerive, now known as the David Boon End – named after the much-loved Australian cricket great – was undoubtedly the goal scoring end. With a wind assistance not regularly seen in the AFL these days, the Boon End produced 30 of the 41 goals kicked for the day. The breakdown was eight goals in the first term, nine in the second, seven in the third and six in the final quarter.

42 to zip

North Melbourne started the match in blistering fashion, booting seven goals straight. But remarkably Melbourne not only reeled in the 42-point deficit, which it trailed by at the 20-minute mark of the first term, it hit the front at the 15-minute mark of the second term, when ruckman Max Gawn kicked the first of two goals.

Eighth best second quarter in Melbourne’s history

Melbourne’s score of 9.3 in the second term was its eighth best second quarter since 1897. The red and blue’s best second term remains 11.6 (72) against Geelong at the MCG in round 16, 1939. The most recent time Melbourne kicked at least nine goals or more in a second quarter was 9.5 (59) against Fitzroy at Princes Park in round two, 1991.

131 strikes again

Melbourne’s 20.11 (131) was the third time since 1897 it has booted that score and lost a VFL/AFL match. It has now happened twice against North Melbourne, with the other time being round six, 1985. Melbourne also booted 131 points and lost against Richmond in round 19, 1988. The red and blue has also kicked scores of 20.12 (132), 21.14 (140), 21.15 (141), 22.11 (143), 21.19 (145) and 22.19 (151) and lost. The match where Melbourne kicked its highest losing score – 22.19 (151) – came against Geelong in round 10, 1940. The Cats booted 24.10 (154) to win by three points.

33 venues now notched up

With Melbourne playing its first VFL/AFL match at Blundstone Arena, it means the red and blue has now played at 33 of the 44 venues used since 1897. It was also just the second time Melbourne has played in Tasmania, with the only other occasion being round eight, 1952, when Melbourne lost by 20 points to Fitzroy at North Hobart Oval.

Hogan hits back

After coming under scrutiny for his body language, in the lead-up to round three, key forward Jesse Hogan hit back in fine style, booting three goals and producing a strong performance. Coach Paul Roos said Hogan responded in a strong manner. “He had 20 possessions and kicked three goals and impacted the game, so it was a much better performance, which was good,” he said.

The making of Clarry

After making his AFL debut in round one – and gaining the season’s first NAB AFL Rising Star nomination – Clayton Oliver had a tougher second outing, with Roos suggesting the 18-year-old looked tired. But the young lad, affectionately known as ‘Clarry’ produced another eye-catching game, winning 26 disposals, including 13 contested and seven clearances. He also booted two goals. These are outstanding numbers for a player in just his third AFL match and it’s a massive tick to recruiting manager Jason Taylor and his recruiting team for selecting Oliver at No.4 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, when industry noise suggested he was a later pick. Roos said Oliver’s efforts were “terrific” for a third game player. “We thought last week he looked really tired and we spoke about whether we would or wouldn’t play him today. He trained really well on Friday, so that was probably the reason we played him. But we’ll keep trying to manage those guys, because we’ve got a lot of younger guys who need to go in and out [of the side]. But it was a great response today, after he had a down week last week. He really responded, so that’s probably the most pleasing thing when a young player has a bad game and he’s able to come back and play so well.”

This guy is still a Boomer

What more can you say about North Melbourne great Brent Harvey? The 37-year-old – he turns 38 on May 14 – produced a personal best in his 412^th AFL match, booting six goals in a brilliant display. He kicked one major in each term and landed three in the third quarter. His performance was yet another outstanding feat in a remarkable career that has him well on his way to breaking Hawthorn great Michael Tuck’s AFL games record of 426 matches. 

What the coach said …

“From round two to round three, we improved significantly against a high quality opposition [in North Melbourne] that has played prelim finals the past two years. Overall it’s a pleasing day, but when you don’t win – that’s where the frustration comes in.” – Paul Roos