First quarter promise fades away
The Demons really took it up the Magpies in the opening term. Although both sides were wayward on the scoreboard (Melbourne kicked 1.5 to 1.6), the Dees at least showed some fight to trail by one point at quarter-time. But in the end, Melbourne added just 4.4 to Collingwood’s 16.14, running away with an 83-point win.
Dees just avoid lowest score for season
Aaron’s Davey’s second goal at the 25-minute mark of the last quarter managed to just eclipse Melbourne’s lowest score for the season. Melbourne’s 5.6.36 against Essendon in round two remains its lowest score for the season, but when Davey kicked the last goal of the match, the red and blue just managed to go past with the – still disappointing total – 5.9.39.
Dawes’ tough day against former teammates
Chris Dawes’ eagerly-awaited match against his former side not only proved to be a tough day at the office for his new team, but for the man himself. Dawes suffered an ankle injury during the second quarter and was substituted for Luke Tapscott in the second half. Dawes showed some good signs early on close friend and former teammate Nathan Brown, plus he also laid a bone-jarring bump, before his day came to a halt. Coach Mark Neeld lamented his key recruit’s injury when he spoke about it post-match: "Oh well, he can go sit up in the stand with Mitch (Clark) and James Frawley I suppose."
Bye comes at the right time for the players …
It’s well-documented that it’s been a miserable season for the Dees. Just one win has occurred in the first half of the season. The scrutiny has been intense on the club. Even first-year Demons – and good stories for the season – Matt Jones and Dean Terlich told melbournefc.com.au post-match that the break was timely, given the mental and physical toll. Terlich said: “I love footy and want to keep on playing all of the time, but once you have a pre-season and then go into the NAB Cup and then the start of the season – your body needs a break and mentally you need to freshen up as well.”
… And for the coach
Few can only imagine the immense pressure Mark Neeld has been under in his role. Although he has remained resilient, even he asked for a pressure release from the media this week. He said post-match: “You’re one group of people that I aren’t telling where I’m going. But I’m sure you’ll find me anyway, probably at a red light. Give me a spell this week. Let me have a couple of days for a breather.”
Five points: round 11
Matt Burgan looks at five points to emerge from Melbourne’s 83-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Monday