Melbourne’s worst fears about the absence of Max Gawn were realised when it received a shellacking from Fremantle’s ruckmen Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson who dominated the hit out tally in their game at Optus Stadium on Sunday by a massive 47 to 19. As a result, the 50-point deficit at the end of the game proved to be a loss that was long foreseen that was two years in the making and demonstrated a complete lack of hindsight and planning from the club.

To add insult to injury, Jackson was a Demon ruckman two years ago and the club had plenty of time to find a backup ruckman for its skipper when he departed. The first attempt to do so netted Brodie Grundy and that was a failure. The club knew well before the end of the 2023 season that Grundy would not be playing for it this year but its attempt to supply with a big man capable of providing a contest in the ruck against one competent ruckman, let alone two, was another abject failure.

Without the teeming rain of the previous Saturday night to give a helping hand, it sent two key forwards in Harrison Petty and Jacob van Rooyen. who might be a decent size for that role but not when the task is to curb two influential big ruckmen with size and skills. The result was predictable and what made it worse was that by moving two strong key forwards to other duties impaired the operation of the forward line which failed to function with any effect. Again, we saw a goalless quarter – this time in the first.

Melbourne was thrashed in the very area where from which play starts, conceding the worst first half clearance figures since the statistic was first  recorded late last century. Fremantle led clearances 24-3 at the main break with both Caleb Serong and Hayden Young having five by that time. This, on the same ground that the Demons had that many in a three-minute patch late in the third term of a grand final not so long ago. By game’s end, the Dockers mids had the upper hand in clearances by 47-15, 13 more forward entries and significant victory at a crucial time when a top four and finals eight appearance was on the line.

As coach Simon Goodwin said:

“There was a lot more to the game than just hit outs. Our midfield’s ability to win the ball, defend contest areas with the right method, stop allowing the ball to get to the outside – there are things that we’ll look at.

True, they were well beaten in contests and when the opposition win 40 more than you do, then it’s game, set and match but it’s made immeasurably worse when, on the occasions, you get your hands on the footy, you can’t hit your targets. It doesn’t help when premiership midfielders Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney are in struggle mode because your younger brigade relies heavily upon them for inspiration . Trent Rivers was the best of a beaten midfield.

Despite being well beaten in the ruck, Jacob van Rooyen worked hard and was the Demons best player in his home State. Steven May was strong in a losing defence and Judd McVee, another local did his best under strong enemy fire.

A special mention to Jack Billings who has copped a bit off flack in recent times. He returned as a sub and made such a difference when he came on in the third term that I named him in the best players for his team although on this week, that’s not such a big deal. However, it is a big deal on limited game time to finish with 18 touches and a goal, seven marks, most inside fifties and third in metres gained.

More from the coach:

“We’ve got six days playing the Giants at home, we just get back to work, and work on our game, and get our contests game back. That’s the first thing that needs to come back and come back really quickly.”

He’s not kidding because unless they come back quickly, the worst of our fears will be realised.

MELBOURNE 0.2.2 3.3.21 6.5.41 10.6.66

FREMANTLE 3.5.23 7.9.51 11.11.77 17.14.116

GOALS

MELBOURNE Chandler van Rooyen 2 Billings Langdon Melksham Petty Turner Windsor

FREMANTLE Amiss Walters 4 Sturt Treacy 3 Clark Jackson Serong

BEST

MELBOURNE van Rooyen May McVee Rivers Billings Petty

FREMANTLE Brayshaw Treacy Serong Darcy Young Walters Clark

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Salem (tight hamstring)

FREMANTLE Jackson (corked calf) Pearce (arm)

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

FREMANTLE Nil

SUBSTITUTIONS

MELBOURNE Jack Billings (replaced Koltyn Tholstrup in the third quarter)

FREMANTLE James Aish (replaced Alex Pearce in the third quarter)

UMPIRES Brendan Hosking Simon Meredith Nathan Toner Andre Gianfagna 

CROWD 42,215 at Optus Stadium

Good summary but I thought Petty deserved a mention.

Fears - where do I start

47 isn’t that may. A lot of ruckmen do that on their own. Common sense would say play a ruckman regardless of how good they are if your main man is out. Great ruckman don’t grow on trees and if you’re lucky enough to get one you can’t play them in the VFL. Any good players want to play in the main game and if you don’t play them they’ll go where they will.