AFL 2015: Melbourne defeats Collingwood by 37 points at the MCG in Round 18
MELBOURNE has put a dagger through the finals hopes of Collingwood with an upset victory at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
MELBOURNE seemed to keep dangling victory in front of the Magpies’ beaks at the MCG, daring them to snatch it and fly away.
For three quarters the Demons kept putting on little bursts of exciting play, skipping out to a two or three-goal lead, and then — as if not knowing how to put the game away — they would either drop back a gear or find a way to cough the ball up or blow a few shots at goal.
But in the last quarter the Demons got it all together: their defensive pressure melded with quick ball movement and accurate disposal and they produced one of those quarters that brings a special roar to red-and-blue crowds at the MCG.
The Demons have a young playing group that is prone inconsistency, but it also contains some prodigious talent.
In Jesse Hogan they have a spearhead who has a presence, clean skills and a good football brain.
It is hard to believe that this was just his 15th game, such is his ability to command the ball and make sound decisions. His raw statistics will tell you that he grabbed nine marks and kicked three goals (he is yet to be held goal-less) but the numbers only tell half the story.
He gives the Demons forward line a structure that Collingwood can only envy in the absence of Travis Cloke, and he also brings other teammates into the game.
A classic example came midway through the third quarter, when two Collingwood defenders had to fly in an effort to spoil Hogan at centre half forward. The aerial contest allowed the ball to spill to Aaron Vandenberg, who streamed forward to set up a Jack Watts goal.
Another who impressed was ruckman Max Gawn, who had the better of two young opponents in Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts before tiring late in the game.
Apart from his hitout work, Gawn is becoming one of the more formidable contested marks in the competition, and scraps at ground level in much the same way that has drawn plaudits from GWS big man Shane Mumford.
One of the most pleasing aspects of this six-goal win against a team desperate to keep its finals hopes alive was that it showcased Melbourne’s midfield depth.
Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Angus Brayshaw and Dom Tyson all won their fair share of hard ball, while Bernie Vince not only had the better of Magpies’ skipper Scott Pendlebury but also did some damage as an attacking force, kicking three goals.
Collingwood, on the other hand, had few positives.
Teenager Matthew Scharenberg, who was a late inclusion after Tyson Goldsack tweaked a quad muscle in the warm-up, was sent onto the field midway through the opening quarter and matched against another high draft pick in Brayshaw.
His first possession was a thumping welcome to football: a rushed handball as he was barrelled on to his back by Colin Garland. But he worked his way into the match, got plenty of the football and showed some poise and class.
In general terms there were other encouraging signs for Demons coach Paul Roos.
For a team that managed just six goals against St Kilda last Sunday, Melbourne was quick out of the blocks, slotting 4.4 in the first 23 minutes of the match.
The Demons early success was down to the way they tackled and harassed, particularly in the forward 50, denying the Magpies the chance to get their running game into groove.
Hogan was the focal point, pulling in four marks and kicking two goals in the opening term, and forcing the Pies to replace Jack Frost with Nathan Brown as his direct opponent.
The Magpies lifted after quarter time, notably in their contested possession work. Alex Fasolo offered a lively lead-up target, Travis Varcoe looked dangerous when he backed his judgment and got loose ahead of 50-50 contests, and Steele Sidebottom racked up 21 disposals in the first half.
The Pies kicked three consecutive goals to get their noses in front midway through the second term, and there was a sense that they might break the game open.
But Melbourne responded admirably, with goals to Jeff Garlett — which he seemed to celebrate with a quasi tribal jig that drew boos from the crowd — and Vandenberg.
Melbourne had all of the answers on this day, while Collingwood will walk away with all of the questions.
MELBOURNE 13.13 (91)
COLLINGWOOD 7.12 (54)
BEST
Melbourne: Hogan, Gawn, Vince, Viney, Jetta, McDonald, VandenBerg
Collingwood: Fasolo, Swan, Varcoe, Sidebottom, Scharenberg, Adams.
GOALS
Melbourne: B Vince 3 J Hogan 3 J Garlett 2 A vandenBerg J Harmes J Howe J Watts N Jones.
Collingwood: A Fasolo 3 J Witts S Pendlebury T Adams T Varcoe.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Scott Jeffery, Chris Kamolins.
Official Crowd: 37,894 at MCG.
VOTES
3. Jesse Hogan (MELB)
2. Max Gawn (MELB)
1. Bernie Vince (MELB)
Originally published as AFL 2015: Melbourne defeats Collingwood by 37 points at the MCG in Round 18
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