Back to bad starts
In recent weeks, the Demons have produced some encouraging starts - think Fremantle and Port Adelaide - before falling away in the final quarters. But the trend was reversed on Saturday, which ultimately cost Melbourne the match. The Demons booted 1.2 to North Melbourne’s 5.4. It was a poor start by the Dees, which conceded the opening five goals of the match. The Roos led by 33 points, and it wasn’t until Sam Blease kicked Melbourne’s first at the 21 minute mark that the Demons ended North’s goal kicking streak. Although Melbourne hit back to win the second term by one point, playing catch-up football proved difficult. And, when the Demons produced a third term described by coach Mark Neeld as not up to AFL standard, the match was all but over.
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Dees produce the good and the bad
Jones continues fine season, Moloney hits form
As Nathan Jones continued to push his claims for his first best and fairest, it was 2011 best and fairest Brent Moloney who returned to play his best match for the season. On the back of an outstanding year, Moloney has endured a frustrating season. After a two match stint out of the side, the bull at a gate ball winner collected 29 touches to be among Melbourne’s best. His performance pleased Neeld, who said Moloney had been playing as if the weight of the Great Southern Stand was on his shoulders. “I was pleased with Brent, to come back into the side and have his best game for the year. He was out of the side because he couldn’t find the ball. He’s come back and did some really good things, so it was good,” Neeld said. In terms of Jones’ season, Neeld said: “He’s been consistently our best or second best player every game. But what Nathan puts in off the field reaps rewards - that’s what AFL footy is like.”
Howe good have Jeremy’s marks been this season?
In 1987, Warwick Capper took three of the greatest marks you’re ever likely to see. They were all significantly different, but memorable in that season. While Capper took several other high flying marks that year and in his career, fast forward 25 years and Jeremy Howe has equalled this feat. Howe has almost been a weekly mark of the year contender, with his grabs against Sydney Swans (round eight) and Port Adelaide (round 17) arguably the two finest hangers of the season. Late in the game against North Melbourne - and although the result was well and truly decided in the Roos’ favour - Howe took another brilliant mark, spring-loading off the back of opponent Scott Thompson and falling backwards from the ride. He has provided many highlights this season in an otherwise disappointing year for the Demons.
Well done Brad
Of the 1288 players to represent Melbourne, only eight Demons have reached 250 matches. On the weekend, Brad Green became the eighth. Sure, he hasn’t broken the club records of David Neitz, played in the premierships Ron Barassi did or achieved the accolades of Jim Stynes, but Green has etched his name into the records as a club great. He might be in the twilight of his career, but he has been one of Melbourne’s better performers since returning in the past three rounds. He booted three goals against North Melbourne and battled hard. By season’s end, Green should have surpassed James McDonald (251 matches) and Brian Dixon (252) to sit sixth in the club’s all-time games record holder - an outstanding achievement.
Those awful records continue
Entering this match, Melbourne had some poor records to overcome. It hadn’t defeated North Melbourne since round 20, 2006, and had not won at Etihad Stadium since round 19, 2007. The Demons had also never beaten the Roos at Docklands. Although most of these records were not relevant to the current playing or coaching group, they are still disappointing records, which the club will be aiming to rectify next year and beyond. The Kangaroos were red hot entering this match, and by the end of it had notched up their sixth win from their past seven outings.
