MATT Burgan looks at the stories, stats and surprises in his weekly column.
Summary
If last week wasn’t confirmed enough, then it couldn’t have been any more official by Sunday night. That’s right, Melbourne will be playing finals this year, for the first time since 2006. After finishing the home-and-away season in spectacular fashion – a 45-point win over fellow finalist GWS Giants at the MCG – Melbourne will now host Geelong Cats at the MCG on Friday, September 7 in the first elimination final. The Demons finished the season with 14 wins – their best home-and-away season since 2004. After an even opening – Melbourne led by 13 points at half-time – it upped the ante considerably to run away with a comprehensive victory.
How’s stat?
11 – seasons. Yep, it’s been 11 seasons since Melbourne’s most recent finals campaign. That’s how long it’s been since Melbourne last played finals. The club’s third longest drought without finals is over. But it’s not as much as 22 seasons from 1965-87 or 12 seasons from 1903-14. It’s a fantastic achievement by the club, led by coach Simon Goodwin, who in his second season has got the team in the 2018 premiership hunt.
The number
4375 – days is amount of time it’s been since Melbourne’s most recent final against Fremantle in 2006.
Experience differential
Games: Melbourne (1987) v GWS Giants (1668)
Goals: Melbourne (954) v GWS Giants (929)
Average age: Melbourne (24 years, 256 days) v GWS Giants (24 years, 199 days)
Did you know …
Melbourne edged ahead of GWS on the ledger for the most wins between the two sides. The Demons have now won six of their 11 encounters against the Giants.
3 votes: Max Gawn
No doubt more Brownlow votes will be coming Gawn’s way, after arguably another best-on-ground display. Not only did he finish with 37 hit outs, 18 disposals and a goal – he finished the home and away season with 1000 hit outs.
2 votes: James Harmes
Harmes’ past month has been brilliant. He has taken his game to another level and has been one of Melbourne’s best performers. He finished with 29 disposals, seven marks and kicked a goal.
1 vote: Angus Brayshaw
Like Harmes, Brayshaw’s past month has been outstanding. He had 32 disposals against the Giants and chipped in with a goal. Easily his best AFL season so far.
Apologies to …
Clayton Oliver, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca, Sam Frost, Christian Salem and Oscar McDonald who all could’ve been among the votes.
Good to see …
Sam Weideman produce another impressive outing, after showing some strong signs in Perth last round. The young tall took six marks and kicked a goal and claimed a career-best 17 disposals.
Oppo’s best: Stephen Coniglio
The ball-winner had 32 touches (eight in each quarter) for the Giants and finished with two goals to be his side’s best player. He also had five clearances.
Pic of the day
Nathan Jones leads the team into the rooms after the win (Photo: Adam Trafford)
Facebook post of the day
Tweet of the day
Just a cool 1,000 hitouts this season for Maxy. #RaiseHell #AFLDeesGiants pic.twitter.com/5p4H6IsBd3
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) August 26, 2018
Instagram photo of the day
Video of the day
In the mix
Dom Tyson (arm) and Dean Kent (shoulder) copped injuries against the Giants and will be in a race against time for the first week of the finals. Having an extra week to prepare for the finals will help, but whether they get up in time for the first final remains to be seen. Co-captain Jack Viney is set to return for the first week of the finals, while Mitch Hannan (knee) should also be right at this stage. Jeff Garlett (four goals) and Cam Pedersen (three) impressed for Casey and will be around the mark, while Tom Bugg, who was a carryover emergency for round 23, is also in the mix. Jayden Hunt (ankle) and Joel Smith (collarbone) are on track to play for Casey this weekend in its first final against Geelong. Viney will definitely return, but a lot will ride on the fitness of Tyson and Kent.
Next round
Melbourne has the weekend off before it takes on Geelong for the first time in a final since 2005. In fact, it will be the seventh time the two sides have met in a VFL/AFL final. It’s a must-win match for Melbourne, if it’s progress to the second week of the finals.
In the rooms
Song to sum up the match
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Simon Says …
“It’s a new tournament. It’s a fresh start. We’re basically playing our brand in the biggest game we can possibly play in against Geelong. That certainly doesn’t hold any fears for us – our first final. We go in knowing exactly what we’re up against, we know exactly what style and brand we want to play so that holds no fears at all.” – Simon Goodwin
