TANGLED UP IN RED AND BLUE

by Scoop Junior

All roads led to the sporting centre of Melbourne last night as 46,277 streamed into the MCG for the big Collingwood v Melbourne clash, 11,549 headed into nearby Olympic Park for the NRL while thousands more were at the Rod Laver Arena for the Bob Dylan concert. The musician produced some bright lights, loud wailing and the living of dreams while the Storm game produced some biffo and a dazzling pyrotechnic exhibition. But it was at the G where there were real fireworks as well as an exciting finish in a fairy tale setting for Demons' skipper David Neitz in his 300th game – on the big stage of Friday night footy at the world's best venue and against the old enemy in Collingwood.

Unfortunately, as coach Mark Riley correctly pointed out, fairytales are much less frequent than sad endings and though the script was half written it was really no surprise in view of his club's season that the story didn't finish as anticipated by the Demon fans. Yet there is plenty that Neitz and his young Melbourne outfit can take out of the brave performance they displayed at least in the second half of the game.

The Demons looked off the boil from the outset. Collingwood was getting its hands on the footy at the clearances and giving its forward line great supply. In the first few minutes, Melbourne could hardly win any clean possession as the hungry Pies, no doubt stung by their insipid display against Richmond, put the foot down on the accelerator. Three early goals was the result and the Dees were in trouble.

But the modern game is heavily reliant on effective centre clearances. With dangerous forwards such as Neitz, Robertson, Sylvia and Davey, Melbourne just had to get it down there to give them a chance. It was little surprise then that the Dees' first effective clearance resulted in a classy goal from Lynden Dunn. While the Demons steadied after their first major, it was the Magpies who dominated the first term, with Burns and Swan doing well in close and Leon Davis proving a major threat with his pace and class.

Down by three goals at quarter time, it was expected that the Dees would lift after an underwhelming first term. However, what they dished up in the second term was as bad as any footy they've displayed this year - and we all know that there have been some disastrous performances during the season. Players could not hit targets and there were countless turnovers resulting in Collingwood counter attacks. Three goals to none in favour of the Magpies extended the margin to six goals at the long break and the Demons looked in even bigger trouble.

Typical of the horrendous injury run that has plagued the club this year, Melbourne lost Ben Holland to a dislocated shoulder in a gruesome incident in the second quarter. Up until that stage, Holland had kept Rocca quiet and the defensive match-ups were working well, with Nathan Carroll subduing Cloke and Ryan Ferguson doing the job on Rusling. Holland's injury forced Carroll onto Rocca, Ferguson onto Cloke and Dunn to Rusling.

However, it was the midfield and across half forward where the Demons were falling down. Despite the valiant efforts of Jones and McDonald, Melbourne could not assert itself at the stoppages and injured pair Russell Robertson and Matthew Bate provided little at half forward.

There are moments in games that shift the momentum. An early Pendlebury goal extended the margin to 41 points and the Demons looked gone, with a big loss on the cards. However, a few minutes later, Daniel Bell showed courage in putting his head over the ball and was cleaned up by a Ben Johnson front-on hit. Bell was carried off on a stretcher and this appeared to rally the Dees who, led by the likes of Nathan Jones, James McDonald, Brad Green, Colin Sylvia and Nathan Brown suddenly lifted their intensity, their attack on the footy and their defensive pressure.

The Pies started to wilt with the ferocity of Melbourne's attack on the ball and the man and were forced into errors. Their run dried up and their confidence sagged.

The skipper started to turn it on up forward, kicking two goals and giving one off to Sylvia, who goaled after a strong mark under pressure. All of a sudden, for the first time in the game, the Dees were putting scoreboard pressure on the Magpies. With the help of some favourable umpiring decisions, the Demons edged closer and goals to McLean from a tight angle and then to Pickett on the run got Melbourne fans out of their seats and produced more than a scare in the heart of Collingwood.

What was even more remarkable about this comeback was the fact that Aaron Davey had also limped to the bench with a hamstring injury, leaving Melbourne with one fit man on the interchange. It was as if Bell's hit, Neitz' 300th and the back-to-the-wall mentality all culminated in a ferocious effort by the Melbourne Football Club.

Heading into the last quarter two goals down, it seemed a matter of time when the Dees would tire but they kept plugging on. A goal to Newton brought the margin back to a kick and if the Demons were a chance to win the game, they had to get their noses in front, as they were bound to tire late in the match.

Melbourne did everything but hit the lead, with Robertson missing two gettable goals from 50 and Neitz failing to make the distance from a shot he'd normally convert. Travis Johnstone also missed a half chance from 50 on the run. It was brave and it was inspirational but it was missing that coat of polish as the Pies went down the other end, where Medhurst kicked the backbreaking goal. In a tight, tense, low-scoring final term, there were no more goals kicked by either team.

The second half was tremendous and it goes to show what can be achieved when 22 (or let's make that 19) blokes throw themselves in and attack the contest hard. At times, the Dees looked like a team possessed and it was little wonder Collingwood players were a bit cautious in the second half. Jones and McDonald set the tone in midfield with their intensity. While both made errors, and Jones conceded a number of frees, their ferocity at the stoppages provided the impetus for the team in the second half. Green worked hard too, and Brown provided his usual tireless run.

Dunn showed some good signs in a midfield role and then down back. His versatility is certainly impressive and he should go on to become a very good player for this club. Another youngster in Michael Newton also showed some great signs. He has very safe hands above his head and moves around the ground well. He needs to work harder at ground level but with increased size and strength over the pre-season, will be one to watch next year. Johnstone flashed in and out, as did Pickett. Both have the class to really make a difference, but at the same time they are being restricted mentally (Johnstone) and physically (Pickett). McLean worked hard but again struggled to find the footy in close. While injuries have affected his season, he just has not displayed that usual McLean nous of winning the footy in close.

The back line put in one of its best performances of the season. After Holland went down, the match-ups all had to change, and to the credit of the players they performed superbly. Ferguson not only subdued Cloke, but also pressured and chased hard and displayed his usual bravery in the pack marking contests. Carroll kept Rocca in check after moving onto him and was also a strong physical presence down back. Wheatley found the footy 20-odd times and was a calming presence rebounding the ball out of defence. Collectively, they kept the Pies to only two goals in the second half, but they were given good assistance by the defensive pressure further up the ground.

After failing to function in the first half, the Dees' forward line clicked into gear after half time. Neitz was the pick of the forwards, kicking 3.3 (it could have been six) and setting up a couple of others. Sylvia lifted in the second half and was very important. His attack on the ball was first rate and his ability to win the contested footy across half forward and through the middle bodes well for a future move into the midfield. He also possesses excellent hands and took a few nice grabs.

Robbo struggled but looked hampered by a knee injury, while Bate battled after injuring himself early. While Bate was not 100%, some of his efforts were not up to standard. With so many of his teammates putting their bodies on the line, Bate failed at times to do likewise. He must be harder at the contest; AFL footy has no room for those perceived to be faint of heart.

While it really was a tale of two halves, it will be the second one that lives on in the minds of Melbourne supporters and hopefully provides the players with the right attitude to take into games next year. They could have laid down and been belted, as many a Melbourne side has over the years, but they gritted their teeth and battled it out. That's all supporters can ask for.

As Dennis Cometti said, controlled aggression is an incredibly powerful tool. The Demons need to make this the norm, rather than the exception to the rule. The team has no stars and can't afford to rely on a few to get them over the line. A total team effort is required and this must be the number one aim of the new coach for season 2008. As for the players, they need to look no further than their 300-game skipper for the right attitude to take into every match. What a great example he set in yet another highlight game in a star studded career that's been nicely tangled up in the red and blue. Once again, well done Neita, you are an inspiration!

Melbourne 3.5.23 3.9.27 8.12.60 9.16.70

Collingwood 6.4.40 9.8.62 10.12.72 11.15.81

Goals

Collingwood Medhurst 3 Bryan Burns Cloke Davis Didak Johnson Pendlebury Rusling

Melbourne Neitz 3 Pickett 2 Dunn McLean Newton Sylvia

Best

Melbourne Jones McDonald Neitz Ferguson Sylvia Brown

Collingwood Thomas Swan Davis Burns O'Brien Medhurst

Injuries

Melbourne Holland (dislocated shoulder) Bell (head and back) Davey (hamstring)

Collingwood – Nil.

Report B Johnson (Collingwood) by umpire Donlon in the second quarter for making forceful contact on Bell (Melbourne)

Umpires Donlon McLaren Chamberlain

Crowd 46,277 at the MCG