It’s been a bit unclear what we can expect from Melbourne this year. Some have predicted them to bounce back into the finals, while others think there may be a few years of rebuilding on the cards. We didn’t quite get an answer but they certainly took it right up to GWS in one of the more intriguing games this round.
It took Melbourne only 15 seconds to get the first goal though debutant, Matt Jefferson, who joined the first kick/first goal club. It wasn’t a sign of things to come, though, as conditions led to both sides fumbling the footy.
GWS were able to make the most of their chances early, scoring off all of their first four inside 50 entries, but they couldn’t quite get their game rolling. The Dees fought harder at the contest as the quarter progressed, but struggled with finding a target up forward. The result was a low scoring term with neither side really gaining momentum, and the Giants holding a narrow five-point lead.
Rain started falling in earnest in the second term, but that didn’t change the way either side wanted to play. Turnovers were plentiful, but only a few times the Giants were able to get a run from them, while the Dees were having more success with their short kick game. Once the ball hit the deck in the forward 50, the Giants struggled to hold the Melbourne forwards, who pounced to kick the first three goals of the term. The Giants responded in kind with the next three on the back of their clearance dominance to take back the lead heading into the main break but the game was still very much in dispute.
Three quick Melbourne goals threatened to blow the things wide open, and from there they started gaining the first true momentum for the game. Their tackling ferocity elevated a notch, and they moved the ball with a bit more flair. Skill errors and some desperate Giants defence prevented the margin from ballooning out too far, but suddenly GWS were struggling to take their own opportunities. Melbourne snuck out to a handy 11 point lead as three quarter time rolled around, right as the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down.
Giants were quicker to react to the downgrade in conditions, forcing the slippery ball forward any way they could and striking first blood. The Melbourne defence had to hold strong against repeat entries before a relieving 50 meter penalty saw them kick a reply. Still, the Giants pressed on, but just like in the third, they couldn’t land their kicks at goal. Melbourne also adopted the long kick game but they too couldn’t control the wet ball, turning the game into a high pressure scrap even after the rain stopped.
A previously inaccurate Toby Greene slotted a crucial goal to get the margin back under a goal with ten minutes left to play. Neither side was willing to give up as the ball bounced around the field and the game hung on a knife’s edge, with only one behind apiece scored for the next several minutes of play. Melbourne had two late opportunities to seal the game, but they were unable to before one last Giants push got the ball to Lachie Keeffe, who cooly slotted the goal to steal the game away.
Pure Football
After a weekend of heat affected games, it was a nice change to see some good old-fashioned wet weather football. It may not have been pretty but no one could doubt the hunger from both sides as they both kept up intense pressure throughout the match. Most of the goals were kicked from running snaps or else from quick jabs from around the goal square which was exciting to watch. The more hectic forward movement may have led to more than a few turnovers but it was forgiven because it also generated exciting quick movement as well as some brilliant defence efforts.
The AFL seems steadfast in moving towards this fast running, high-scoring style of play with just about all 18 teams now seeming to be adopting a run-and-gun gameplan. While that is certainly entertaining too, thus far it has been played in the dry weather, not typical football conditions.
How well teams are able to pull off this style once we hit winter will be interesting to see, but it’s good to be reminded that the game doesn’t have to be high-scoring and clean to be a great watch.
The new kids on the block
With six new players for the Demons, five of which playing their first AFL game, there was plenty for fans to look forward to.
The feel good story of the bunch is definitely Aiden Johnson who made his debut as a 25-year-old, after being taken at 68 in last year’s draft. He only had seven disposals but made an impact with a goal, five tackles and a couple of important stints in the ruck. He had a chance to make a real name for himself with a late shot at goal to win the game, but unfortunately, the nerves seemed to get the better of him and the kick went wayward.
Xavier Lindsay proved himself to be a great pickup and showed some great composure you might not expect from a first gamer. He spent more time in the defensive half and was able to set up some plays using his 22 disposals at 82% efficiency and also laid six tackles.
Matthew Jefferson burst onto the scene with the first goal of the game but only added one more for the remainder of the game with five disposals. Jack Henderson and Harry Sharpe also kicked their first goals for the Dees and played reasonably well for their first hit outs.
Harvey Langford was the quiet one of the bunch, with only five disposals, and one mark to his name.
Overall, it was promising signs all around as Melbourne starts its journey back into the top 8.
Max is still the MVP
Despite the changes, one thing look to be remaining the same for the red and blue.
Right from the get-go, Gawn made his presence felt and his ruck work helped the Melbourne midfields start the game on the right foot. His continued efforts around the ground went a long way to ensuring the kick-mark transitions went smoothly and the forwards were getting plenty of the ball. His presence also made opposition ruck Keeffe give away several frees from ruck contests, which were very handy during such a tough game.
Unfortunately though, when it came down to the final crucial minutes, he just couldn’t seal the deal. First a kick at goal fell agonisingly short, and then he stumbled over the ball from the final ball up which allowed the Giants to move the ball forward and prevent any last minute Melbourne miracle.
His best on ground performance with a huge 46 hitouts, seven clearances, and 24 disposals wasn’t enough to get the Dees over the line today, but hopefully he won’t be shouldering this burden alone for too much longer.
Welcome back Christian Petracca
When he went down last year with that horrific injury, I think many of us weren’t expecting to see him play again, much less in the red and blue. To return to the game, and on the very ground it happened at no less, took a lot of bravery.
But he did a lot more than just show up and was amongst the best players for the day. His first goal was a great snap on the run after reading the fall of the ball and boy did his teammates get around him. He added to it with enough along with picking up 27 disposals, and four clearances, and showed no signs of hesitancy as he charged at the ball with all the determination we’re used to seeing from him.
He wasn’t quite at his best, with Toby Bedford giving him plenty of attention, but seemed to be moving quite well for someone out of the game for so long. Even for non-Melbourne supporters such as myself it was great to see him back out there and we’re all wishing him the best for the season ahead.
Fixture unfairness – the never ending issue
This game was the only time we’ll see GWS at the MCG this year- at least up until finals. While there’s no question that creating a fair fixture is an impossible task, this still seems like a grievous oversight. For a team that finished top 4 last year (and is expected to again this year) to only play one game at the ground the grand final is played at seems like a severe disadvantage.
The Giants were determined to make the most of it though it seems, and didn’t let the wet weather stop them from testing the capabilities of the orange tsunami on the MCG deck. Their ball movement was definitely smoother than that of the Dees, and they made more of their opportunities despite having fewer of them. One concern was that at times the defence left wide holes for opposition to run into a slot goals from.
The Giants have certainly put their iffy pre-season behind them and have stamped themselves once again as an early premiership contender.
Is there an opening round advantage?
Ken Hinkley certainly seems to think so, but today’s game suggest it may not necessarily be the case. Melbourne kept up with GWS all day and were able to match their intensity at the ball without any noticeable differences. In fact there were some periods where they looked like the more energised side and it was GWS who looked a little tired, especially in that third term.
There was of course one big difference between this game and ones of the other opening round teams. Wet weather vastly changed how this game was played, and without heat adding to the fatigue it was an easier game for Melbourne endurance wise. Of course there’s no way the AFL can control things to make sure opening round teams play wet weather the next week to keep things even, but it is an interesting observation.
Seeing as the AFL is insisting on persisting with their experiment maybe we’ll get some more insight next year.
Melbourne will take on North at Marvel next Sunday afternoon in what will now be an interesting match-up. The Dees have won all six of their last meetings, but it was only a narrow 3 point margin last year, and North looked like they had improved in their game against the Dogs. You would expect it to be a win for Melbourne but it should be another tight contest.
GWS meanwhile will have their bye as they look ahead to facing Hawthorn in round 4.
