‘EXPERIENCED’ Dees triumph, Captain Jacks impress, Dunn continues exciting form, the game salutes a 300-gamer, and haven’t we seen your faces before? These are some of the points to emerge from Melbourne’s 25-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval on Saturday

Games experience shines through yet again …
Melbourne has entered all but three matches this season with fewer games of experience than its opposition. And not surprisingly, it made it three from three with its win over Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval on Saturday. Sure, those three wins have come against the AFL’s two newest teams - Gold Coast Suns and GWS respectively - but it was another reminder of the importance of experience. Melbourne’s first win of the season over Essendon in round 11 was the only time it has bucked the trend this season. On that occasion, the Demons had 1949 games experience to 1618. This time around, the Demons had 1518 games experience at Manuka Oval on Saturday; the Giants had just 1073.

Captain Jacks finishing strongly
It’s been a tough initiation for the two young Jacks - Grimes and Trengove - since taking over the captaincy. The duo has tasted just four wins in a difficult year for the club. But Grimes’ form in particular has been outstanding in recent weeks - he has really stepped up in the past six rounds. Trengove - the youngest captain in VFL/AFL history - has also regained confidence in recent weeks, and notched up a season high 23 disposals and kicked two goals against the Giants. The two youngsters are fine young men, and given the season the Demons have had, they will be better for having been through the tough times.

Dunn continues impressive form
Dunn was one of Melbourne’s best against Greater Western Sydney. He had a career best 28 disposals, took 10 marks and continued his good form in the second half of the season. Although his versatility is known - he was recruited as a key forward, but has played a considerable part of his career as a run-with midfielder - Dunn has added an extra dimension, playing down back in the second half of the season. The 25 year-old provided strong rebound and entries inside 50 against the Giants.

A little Lion man produces Giant effort
Nice touch in footy these days with teams lining up for greats who have achieved significant milestones. At the end of the match, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney formed a guard of honour for Luke Power, who had just completed his 300th AFL match. It was a fitting tribute to one of the most consistent and durable players of the past decade. Power is a triple premiership player with Brisbane Lions, and now co-captain of GWS. His effort to reach the triple ton is an outstanding one. He became just the 66th player in the history of the game to reach this milestone - David Neitz is the only 300-game Demon. From the 12,130 people to have played at least one VFL/AFL match, that’s a mighty achievement.

Haven’t we seen you two before?
Although it didn’t quite have the same build up to round 13, when Melbourne faced off against former skipper James McDonald and 2009 No.1 draft pick Tom Scully for the first time, it was still an interesting situation for all associated with the red and blue to see two familiar players in opposition colours, as co-captain Jack Trengove explained. “It’s always a great test, and obviously ‘Junior’ (James McDonald) is a legend of the club and he’s played a lot of footy [at Melbourne]. It was good coming up against him, and with ‘Sculls’, it’s obviously been well publicised that he made the trek up here, but you just treat them like other players and move on.”