Melbourne’s best and worst on show at MCG as it beat North Melbourne for first time since 2006
MELBOURNE’S best finally ended its 12-year hoodoo against North Melbourne but its worst kept the Kangaroos in the MCG contest far longer than they should have been.
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THEY are teasing us, Melbourne.
We say this in good faith because their best might just be brilliant. But their worst is wasteful and mistake-heavy.
The Demons gave us plenty of both - and everything in between, in this fast-paced - end-to-end meeting with nemesis North Melbourne.
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The bottom line is Melbourne finally ended its infamous 17-match losing streak to the Roos dating back to Round 20 2006.
But while we’re being frank, they made it hard work. The Dees’ final margin of victory was 37 points, but it should have been 10 goals.
There will be those who say a “win is a win” and fair enough too, given it’s only Round 3.
However it’s a bit like a P-plater getting behind the wheel of a V8, Melbourne has the power under the hood, but is yet to learn how to harness it.
Simon Goodwin’s men huffed and puffed, but like a punch-drunk boxer at times, couldn’t land the knockout blow until late in the fourth quarter.
Even then it was like a sleeper-hold than anything else.
The Roos had every finger in a damn wall that, despite every sign to the contrary, never really burst.
A red and blue tsunami of inside 50s threatened to blow this game to smithereens from quarter-time onwards, yet a combination of the Roos’ resilience and Melbourne’s sloppy finishing kept this game interesting for far longer than it should have.
North Melbourne slammed on the first four goals, but like Carlton the night before, were hauled in and then thrust up against the ropes as Melbourne started landing the body blows.
The Demons had 54 inside 50s to North’s 30 after quarter-time.
They showed what they’re capable of in the second quarter, slamming on six goals in 20 minutes in a breathtaking burst.
Then there was a third quarter in which Melbourne had a staggering 23 inside 50s to eight, yet only won the quarter by 10 points.
The Roos had been going well in contested ball, but were smashed 161-126 by Melbourne, who kicked four of the game’s last five goals as North finally tired.
It was wildly inconsistent from the Dees, but they also have a wild amount of upside.
Max Gawn was untouchable with 18 disposals, 10 score involvements and 50 hitouts.
Christian Petracca’s power and energy gives them wings, Jesse Hogan’s workrate is incredible and Tomas Bugg bobs up with four goals.
Dean Kent (three goals) comes into the side and offers real grunt, as did Sam Frost, who held his own in defence and allowed Jake Lever more licence to intercept.
All this with Jack Viney and Tom McDonald to come back in and another 18 senior listed players featuring the VFL on Sunday.
And with Clayton Oliver (20 touches, two goals) kept in reasonable check by tagger Ben Jacobs.
North Melbourne, mind you, might be made of sterner stuff than many predicted. Ben Cunnington was huge, Shaun Higgins was class, Ben Brown (four goals) was again a handful and Trent Dumont showed a bit.
You know, what’s frightening about Melbourne is North played pretty well.
What happens when the Demons get off the P-plates?
BEST
Melbourne: M.Gawn, J.Hogan, C.Petracca, D.Kent, C.Salem, N.Jones, J.Lewis, T.Bugg
North Melbourne: B.Cunnington, B.Brown, S.Higgins, B.Jacobs, T.Dumont, L.McDonald
VOTES
3. Max Gawn (Melb)
2. Jesse Hogan (Melb)
1. Christian Petracca (Melb)
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Originally published as Melbourne’s best and worst on show at MCG as it beat North Melbourne for first time since 2006
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