BOUNCING BACK

by Scoop Junior

Melbourne has bounced back from a loss in Perth for the second time this season to record a critical victory at home on the MCG. This time, it was the Western Bulldogs who were on the receiving end of the angry Demons desperate to atone for their poor showing at Subiaco last week.

It was not a game of two halves, but rather a match of one quarter and three quarters. The first term was an open, free-flowing affair, which suited the game style of the pacy Dogs. With their small forward set-up, the Bullies require plenty of space to lead into as well as precise delivery from midfield to spot up leading targets. The Dees jumped out of the blocks with some quick goals but the second half of the first term belonged to the Bulldogs, who ran hard off half back and used the footy well.

At quarter time, it was clear what the Demons had to do: increase the pressure on the Dogs’ ball carriers and force them into either making errors or bombing away inside 50. Melbourne lifted its work rate and shut down the fast running style of its opposition and in the process kicked four goals to zero for the term.

The second half went much the same way as the second term; the Demons pressuring the Bulldogs into rushed kicks inside 50, which played into the hands of the home side’s defence. With smalls such as Johnson and Robbins close to goals, the Dogs did not have a pack marking threat and such bombs inside 50 usually resulted in an easy defensive clearance to Melbourne.

Up the other end, the Demons had a pack presence in David Neitz and Ben Holland and while the latter did not really look like taking a pack mark, his contesting work enabled a spillage rather than a defensive rebound by the Dogs. The Dees also had the X factor that the Bulldogs lacked in Adem Yze and Aaron Davey; the former starring with five goals in game number 250 and the Flash terrorising the Doggies' backline with amazing bursts of speed and mesmerising vision.

Some early Bulldog goals in the last brought them within 26 points, but they never looked like pulling off a result given that they could only manage three goals since quarter time. Like a good side, Melbourne upped the ante and stormed home, kicking the last four goals of the game to bury the fading Dogs.

Despite looking a little shaky early, the Demon defence, ranked 4th in the league on points conceded, got the job done comfortably. In a surprise move, Cameron Bruce was assigned the dangerous Johnson. He was excellent in adapting to the task, matching Johnson on the lead and using his height to advantage in the one-on-one contests. Johnson usually has the luxury of being too quick for taller defenders and too strong in the air for shorter opponents; however, he did not enjoy these advantages against Bruce.

Nathan Carroll continued his fantastic season with a solid job on Robbins. As testament to his confidence, Carroll not only did the defensive job well but in the second half he became a vital rebounding defender, setting up many forward thrusts for the Dees with his robust style. Jared Rivers battled early before finding his feet and finished off the game well, enhancing his reputation as one of the best readers of opposition kicks in the league.

It was, though, the day for the small defenders, with Matty Whelan and Daniel Ward accumulating 30 possessions each. Whelan was tremendous in picking off Bulldog kicks, winning the one-on-ones, using the ball well and generating attacking drive. Ward showed great appetite for the contest and ran hard all day. While his ball use let him down occasionally, it was his preparedness to run that assisted the Demons greatly in overcoming an opposition side itself known for its running prowess. Clint Bartram also played a great game, shutting down the dangerous Eagleton and attacking the contest with his usual courage and ferocity. His chase and pressure on Cooney when the talented Dog stormed into an open goal was a highlight of his game.

In midfield, Simon Godfrey was given the task of negating Scott West. West is always going to accumulate many possessions, so limiting the effectiveness of his disposal is a key. After West dominated the early going, Godfrey rebounded well to keep the prolific Bulldog in check for most of the day.

Brock McLean came back into the side and showed why he is already rated by many as one of Melbourne's most important players. He burned early inside the packs and on the outside, adding two goals to his dominant first half performance. He tapered off a little in the second half but was still a very good player on the day. His clearance mate James McDonald accumulated a lazy 30-odd touches in another excellent performance. His intensity and attack on the ball has just gone to another level this season and somehow he continually slips under the guard of opposition teams. What I like about Junior is he knows his limitations and is prepared to do the grunt work and dish off by hand to a better finisher rather than kick the ball himself. It is unselfish footy and typifies his approach.

Travis Johnstone helped fill the midfield void left by Bruce (Johnson) and Green (suspended). Without these two class players, Melbourne could have been exposed in midfield. However, Johnstone played a good game and while not dominating, used the ball effectively enough. Matthew Bate, back in the side after a hamstring injury, took a while to get going but did some nice things and took a strong contested mark in the last quarter to display his versatility as a footballer.

But without doubt the major midfield focus was on Nathan Jones, the first gamer from Dandenong Stingrays. Jones found the ball 17 times and exhibited his precise kicking skills. One piece of play which involved a Colin Sylvia handball to Jones, followed by a Jones kick to McLean, resulted in a Demons’ goal and was a sign of the future for these young and exciting Demon midfielders. Jones did enough to earn his spot next week, with the strongly built number 2 a very good chance to take on Carlton.

The skipper contributed three goals and some excellent second efforts in the third quarter which resulted in goals to teammates. His contesting work was first rate. Holland was given a forward role to stretch the Dogs' defence and while he struggled to take marks close to goal, he provided a strong contest. His best footy, though, appears to be in defence and a move back there appears to be on the cards next week. Russell Robertson was quiet but contributed a couple goals, while Sylvia played a good first half, presenting hard as a target across half forward, before fading later in the game.

But the star of the show was the man affectionately known as OOOOZE! He kicked five goals, including one absolute gem from the boundary line in the third term. His effort reinforces all that's dangerous about the Melbourne forward set-up: you may contain Neitz to 3, Robbo to 2 and Davey to 2, but then up bobs Yze with 5. This multi-faceted structure is critical to Melbourne's success and makes it a tough job for opposition coaches to contain all these potentially game-breaking players.

In the end, it was a comfortable 51-point win. 3rd spot on the ladder has been reclaimed but other results did not go the Demons' way. West Coast retains its one game lead and closed in on percentage with a thumping win over the Crows, while St Kilda’s percentage skyrocketed with a demolition of Richmond. While Collingwood appears a rung below the Eagles, Demons and Saints, its easy draw makes it a key player in the race for positions in the top four. Then there’s Sydney – which has three relatively simple home games in the run home – on 10 wins and a healthy percentage and still right in the race for a top four spot.

With the losses of Pickett and Davey, Melbourne will lack that bite around the half forward line. They are indeed significant blows, and while Davey should be back for Round 21 or 22, hopefully Pickett will be back by finals where his experience and aggression could be a decisive factor. Nevertheless, the Dees know that they will probably have to win a minimum of four of their last five to have a chance of finishing second and may even need to win this many just to retain a spot in the top four. It promises to be an exciting finish to the home and away season and hopefully the Saints do the right thing and knock over West Coast to kick-start a fascinating final five rounds.

Melbourne 5.2.32 9.5.59 13.9.87 18.11.119

Western Bulldogs 6.3.39 6.7.43 7.12.54 9.14.68

Goals Yze 5 Neitz 3 Davey McLean Robertson 2 Bartram Bate Godfrey Holland

Best Whelan Yze McDonald Bruce Carroll Ward McLean

Injuries Davey (hamstring) Pickett (hamstring)

Changes Dunn replaced in selected side by Brown.

Umpires James Head Ellis

Crowd 36,466 at MCG