Melbourne is at risk of becoming major underachievers like Essendon at the turn of the century, Cam Mooney writes

Melbourne is in danger of finishing a golden era as major underachievers in a similar vein to powerhouse at the turn of the century, Cam Mooney writes.

Are Melbourne the new Essendon of the late 1990s to early 2000s?

The Bombers from 1999 to 2001 – playing in a preliminary and two grand finals – were arguably the best team I ever played against.

However, history shows they were underachievers, walking away with one premiership in 2000 when it could have easily been three.

Melbourne is now entering similar waters.

After smashing the Western Bulldogs two years ago in a grand final by 74 points, the Dees went out in straight sets last year and are in danger of repeating the dose this September.

They simply should have beaten Collingwood last Thursday night.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn said the Demons’ loss to Collingwood was a familiar result. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

With 69 inside 50s – almost double what the Pies had – did the Dees kick themselves out of another premiership?

It should have been a six-goal win.

And while the Pies started well, and defended tremendously well, I didn’t think they looked that great overall.

Melbourne clearly let a premiership slip last year after winning the first 10 games of the season.

And if this group, bulging with talent, walks away with just one flag from this era, it will be an underachievement of Essendon proportions.

In their defence, a few late injuries to forwards Harrison Petty and Jake Melksham hasn’t helped.

Injured Demon Jake Melksham watches from the bench during the qualifying final against Collingwood. Picture. Michael Klein.

There are also injury concerns with Clayton Oliver (knee soreness), Max Gawn (toe) and Angus Brayshaw was concussed following that hit from Brayden Maynard.

It’s starting to look like another straight sets loss in finals for the Dees.

Which is why there’s so much at stake this Friday night at the MCG.

It’s shaping up to be one of the best finals in recent memory, with another 90,000 plus crowd expected and a beautiful night forecasted.

Carlton is one of the in-form teams of the competition and should be rightfully thinking of stealing the flag.

That being said, the Dees finished top four for a reason, so I’m backing them. Just.

But the faith is wavering.

Angus Brayshaw at training. Picture: Michael Klein.

The only issue is the winner plays Brisbane the following weekend at the Gabba.

The Lions are well poised to stroll into their first grand final in 20 years.

Meanwhile, another in-form team is the GWS Giants, who have now recorded 11 wins from as many different locations in 2023 after beating St Kilda in week one of the finals.

That four-goal win made Adam Kingsley the coach of the year.

However, Port Adelaide is a different beast at home and I’m tipping the Power to win on Saturday night.

What isn’t certain is what kind of penalty Maynard should expect for his hit on Brayshaw.

It should be an incredible test case for how hard the AFL is making things for the players.

The game is simply getting tougher and tougher to play, and Maynard’s accidental hit is another example.

I felt Maynard’s instinct was to smother and it was a pure footy act.

However, we’ve changed the rules around the bump, and the tackle, so are we now going to change the laws around players who leave the ground to smother but make contact with an opponent?

Maynard collided with Angus Brayshaw while attempting to smother during the qualifying final. Picture: Fox Sports.

In today’s climate, if there is concussion, it usually comes with a penalty.

We’re penalising the outcome rather than the act.

In Maynard’s defence, he left the ground with momentum and didn’t have control over where he would land.

Sydney successfully appealed a two-game suspension for Tom McCartin just a few weeks ago after his bump on Adelaide’s Shane McAdam, leaving the Crow with a depressed cheekbone fracture.

Swans coach John Longmire described it as an “accidental football incident”.

“Tommy didn’t have a choice,” Longmire said.

Is it the same situation for Maynard?

It’s a big call for the tribunal and could set a new precedent for our game.

Originally published as Melbourne is at risk of becoming major underachievers like Essendon at the turn of the century, Cam Mooney writes