MITCH Clark fires and Jack T is rapt, the Dees display grittiness and the skippers step-up, while Jack Viney endures an eventful VFL debut … these are among the five things we learned in round six

Mitch Clark delivers
The key forward proved his absolute worth with his round six performance against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. He finished with 21 disposals, including 14 contested, and four goals. It was a dominant display by Clark, who also spent time in the ruck and even down back. Statistically, the former Lion and first-year Demon was ranked the match’s second best player by Champion Data. Only Steve Johnson, who had 35 disposals and kicked three goals rated better. It was another dominant display by Clark against another top team. He again proved he could match it against the big boys, following on from his round two effort when he booted five goals against West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium. Clark has now kicked 14 goals for the season.

Jack T rapt with Mitch C
Co-captain Jack Trengove told melbournefc.com.au that Clark had been a top performer all season and that his display was not a surprise. Trengove said: “He really stood up, but he’s been doing it all year. It’s really hard for him, because he’s not getting many opportunities and the ball’s not getting in the forward line enough. But every time it goes forward, I’ve got full confidence that he’ll really make a contest. As we saw again, he got on the scoreboard, so that was a real positive.”

Dees display grittiness
A 43-point loss is still a 43-point loss. But in the context of what Melbourne achieved against Geelong at the cattery last season - the second worst loss in VFL/AFL history by 186 points - and the fact it hadn’t won a match in 2012, pointed to a reasonable display. Melbourne’s second quarter was when it let the game slip. The Cats outscored the Dees by 23 points, but otherwise, the Demons were more than competitive in the other three quarters. Many pundits predicted another 100-point drubbing, but Melbourne gave a gritty account, under the circumstances.

Co-captains take steps 
Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove didn’t produce best-on-ground games, but they took another step in their leadership. Jack Grimes played much of the match with a rolled ankle, when he looked gone in the second term. He returned to finish with a team-high 24 disposals, a solid effort under duress. Jack Trengove, remembering it’s still just his third AFL season, battled hard against the experienced and dominant Geelong midfield. He collected 21 touches. Sure, they didn’t dominate, but they showed plenty of ticker as skippers in a tough, hostile environment. 

Jack Viney shows promise and courage
Jack Viney isn’t officially on an AFL list yet, but he was trending on Twitter on Saturday after Geelong veteran David Wojcinski crunched him with a head-high bump in his first VFL match for Casey. It was just another indication of the attention Viney is already demanding. The recently turned 18-year-old showed some impressive signs on debut, but it was his ability to get back on his feet and walk from the ground, which further enhanced his reputation as a tough youngster. He didn’t want to be assisted either, pushing club doctor Bassam Moses away from his aid. Viney, who has been earmarked as a Melbourne father/son selection at this year’s NAB AFL Draft, has been an outstanding junior footballer coming through the ranks. On the weekend, he showed he was prepared to mix it with the big boys - a fine sign of things to come. But it wasn’t surprising, given his father Todd was a tough, courageous midfielder, who became of the club’s greats.