ANOTHER WIN AT THE G by George On The Outer

The Demons recorded their 11th successive victory against the Suns, but this time the match was at the other “G” for them - the Gold Coast.

Not only has Metricon stadium become a home away from home for Melbourne, but by far, and by a very, very large number, the crowd was made up of predominately Melbourne supporters.  There were probably more from Melbourne and some locals for the weekend, than had travelled from the GC to support the Suns.  And if the AFL were serious they would stop this financial stupidity, and send the Suns to a location where the natives are interested in the product. Enough said, because the AFL couldn’t stand the egg on their face and it won’t happen.

To the game.  The weather was lovely but it was humid and viewers back home wouldn’t have appreciated the slipperiness of the ball.  The big men really suffer except for a few odd extraordinary performances aerially.  Both Casboult from the Suns and Jackson from the Demons were able to hold the cake of soap when others couldn’t.  Big Max could only manage two for the night, an identical number to BBB and TMac.  

The Demons got off to a slow start and trailed by 15 points early in the first quarter, which excited the local opposition supporters no end as they could see the possibility of a free Big Mac for them if they got to the 60 point total, rather than the chance their side might actually win.

That hope faded away as the Demon machine clicked into gear and the grinding down of the opposition began.  They already had a slender quarter time lead which blew out with an additional six goals in the second term to open the margin to 14 points at half-time and 20 points at the final break.

The Demon fans had best get accustomed to this strategic style of play.  It is reminiscent of Sydney in years gone by.  Once they get in front they just never give up the lead until the game’s won.  Unfortunately, for those same supporters, it means you will rarely see a blow out type of game: similar to what we saw in last year’s finals. We just grind opposition into the ground  and deny them again and again.  It ain’t pretty but it works!

So for the final half of the game the scoreline bounced around that 2 to 3 goal mark and stayed there right to the end to see Melbourne take home the chocolates again to the tune of 13 points.  

Make no mistake, the Suns will challenge many sides in 2022.  They have a star studded lineup of players who are very capable.  But they were against the reigning Premiers and are yet to develop that ruthless approach, built around team first principles.  

The Suns simply are not a team in that vein.  Maybe they will get there one day, or at least the AFL hopes that will be the case, but it is a long time away. And they have those unpolished diamonds but it was obvious the result of the game came down to the real polish of a couple of Demon players.  

Christian Petracca shone brightly with 41 touches including 17 contested, while Clayton Oliver amassed 34, including 18 contested.  

What will scare opposition coaches is Luke Jackson who collected 21 possessions, 11 contested and 7 clearances. Not bad for a  ruckman, and the second string one at that! He is truly an additional mid, whose athleticism and second efforts stand him out time and time again.

Then to top it off Jake Bowey down the backline chips in with 34 touches, 9 marks and 18 contested possessions!  These are mid-field numbers.  But it is his ability to read the play and by the way, he can kick the ball long and effectively as well with an 80% effectiveness score.  He easily would have been best on ground in only his 9th game of AFL were it not for the trio in the middle and their performances, but hey, given his position, he should get the gong for this game.

As previously noted it wasn’t a night for big men, but we have to be grateful that BBB come over from North, because when we need a target up front who can kick straight when needed … he is the man.  

It would be possible to complain about the umpiring, but this report would turn into a multi-page epic. The adjudication was simply abysmal.  One umpire taking over from the other two who refused to make any call when needed, and then getting the decision wrong time and again.  Particularly galling are the blocking calls against Max in the ruck, who is only protecting himself from the opposition ruck jumping into himself, and simply because he is stronger and stay upright, he gets penalised.  No calls made for holding or scragging which has become standard practice to nullify his efforts.

Worse were the boundary umpires … all 4 of them struggled to throw in the pilli.  Short throws all night, and sadly our rucks didn’t wake up to the fact to take advantage, but if they can’t perform to the AFL required standard, then adopt the AFLW method of standing 5 metres from inside from the boundary to ensure the ball gets back into the play.

The side is 2-0 in 2022 and winning is all they can do. The Suns are no pushovers, and we did what we had to do to get across the line.  

Back at the original G next week, facing a very ordinary performing Essendon side should see the Demons continue on their victorious path, hopefully in the same manner as we saw in 2021.