REACHING FOR THE STARS

by The Oracle

There were two AFL games played in Melbourne yesterday. The one between Carlton and Collingwood attracted a crowd of 80,310 to the MCG and the other, between Richmond and Melbourne, a modest 27,348 to Telstra Dome. The results of both were decided by star players in the winning teams - in Carlton's case it was the result of an eight goal performance from full forward Brendan Fevola and in Richmond's case it was from wingman, come forward, come backman Matthew Richardson.

Without a doubt, Richardson was the difference between the two sides at the Docklands; he instigated the Tigers' comeback with two goals when they were in danger of falling away and trailling by 21 points late in the opening quarter, he was instrumental in his team's 16 minutes of sheer dominance in the second quarter when they scored eight unanswered goals after Melbourne scored the first of the term and he took a number of timely saving marks deep in defence when the Demons looked like stealing the game near the end. The rest of the time, he went well enough but he really made things happen when they mattered the most and he finished with five goals.

That's a star!

The rest of the time, which was about 75% of the game, Melbourne was the better team but it was the lack of a single player with star quality and the ability to stamp his name on the game that, as happens ever so often with the Demons, proved to be its undoing.

The young Melbourne side had its best start for the season with five goals for the opening term but all of its good work was undone in the second quarter when the entire team went into hibernation and reverted to all of the sins and omissions of the very dark days early in the season when they performed so miserably against the Hawks and the Bulldogs in the opening two rounds.

By half time the Tigers held a lead of 38 points and appeared headed for a victory of mammoth proportions after a devastating eight goal burst brought about by complete dominance of the midfield and the Richardson effect.

But Melbourne fought back with a counter offensive of its own and narrowed the deficit to 19 points at the last change. That they did so was due to the efforts of Brock McLean, with face swathed in bandages, who came out with a burst to retake control of the midfield and the uncharacteristically quiet Aaron Davey, who ignited the game with a sparkling running goal followed by the mark of year and then a goal to give the team a sniff.

The Demon surge continued in the final quarter and they drew to within 8 points as it all came down to an arm wrestle which was eventually won by the Tigers with the last two goals of the game.

Melbourne was well served by midfielders Brad Green, Cameron Bruce and the run and carrry of Paul Wheatley whose persistence throughout the game was important. Nathan Jones and Matthew Bate also flashed in and out of the play while Clint Bartram showed some glimpses of the form he was capable of producing in his debut season before his injury woes began.

Brad Miller's three goal performance might pale into insignificance when measured next to that of Richo but it was nevertheless an important contribution. Miller had to go far and wide to get his possessions but his kicking for goal in terms of both depth and accuracy have improved markedly this year. He was however, Melbourne's only forward target in an attack bereft of players capable of taking a contested mark in the way that Richardson does for the Tigers. That is understandable in view of the demise of David Neitz and injuries to Russell Robertson, Ben Holland and Michael Newton - the latter is coming back from injury through the Sandringham reserves of all places!

In a game dominated by Richmond's star, a special mention must be made of two players from Melbourne who might aspire to such greatness at some stage in the future. Colin Garland's breathtaking improvement continues and I sense that some day soon we will look at how his game has developed and marvel at the inspiration behind giving him the very special number 20 at this club to wear on his back. The dash and poise that he is showing week in and week out is something that we rarely see from young players who have graced the football field on such few occasions. He can only get better and better.

And so too will Cale Morton, although his performance at the Telstra Dome was admittedly flawed by some poor disposal and decision making. Having seen him hit targets with pinpoint precision and kick goals prodigiously from long distances on his way to winning the highest individual honours at last year's national under 18 championships, I'm willing to cut him a fair amount of slack. The lad is still only eighteen years old but showed that he can really find the football - 20 possessions with only 64% of game time - is a handy result in anyone's language. He's a fantastic work in progress and, with a year or two's experience and a few extra kilograms on his upper body and shoulders, Morton will be a very special player for the club.

Melbourne did not achieve victory against the Tigers at the Dome yesterday - not even an honourable defeat. However, the Demons showed that they have the potential and the material to one day reach for the stars. The voyage has begun.

Melbourne 5.3.33 6.5.41 11.8.74 14.10.94

Richmond 3.6.24 11.13.79 13.15.93 16.20.116

Goals

Melbourne Miller 3 Bartram Bruce Davey 2 Bate Garland Green White Wonaeamirri

Richmond Richardson 5 Brown 3 Cotchin Hyde Moore Morton Polak Simmonds Tuck White

Best

Melbourne McLean Garland Wheatley Bruce Jones Bate

Richmond Richardson Deledio Brown Tuck Foley

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Umpires Sully Nicholls Ryan

Crowd 27,348 at Telstra Dome