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ANOTHER STEP FORWARD by George on the Outer Laozi (c604-531 BC) is quoted as saying that “ a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”. For the Melbourne Football Club, that journey from the despairing depths of the past years must be some way along the path, but against the Greater Western Sydney Giants we saw yet another step toward that final goal. While there is no doubt that had the Giants kicked straight, the result would have been very different, it is worth reflecting upon the following scenario. Three quarter time. Melbourne has kicked a meagre six goals and only solitary one since quarter time. The Demons are 21 points down. There is no doubt that such a situation in 2014 or 2015 would have seen the final result blow out to a 30+ point drubbing. However, such has been the progress of the team under the current coaching panel, that a mere 10 minutes later, the team hit the front. Then they held on, even though Greater Western Sydney reclaimed the lead again for a couple of minutes. We are seeing resilience, belief and simple hard, tough inputs by all the players, that was so very lacking in years gone by. And we should make make no mistake about the capabilities of the Giants. Up until late last season when they lost Shane Mumford, they were challenging for a finals spot, and make no mistake, they will do so again this year. Their depth of talent is extraordinary, with twenty top twenty draft picks in their side. Melbourne also has room to improve. The omission of Lynden Dunn was probably a mistake, (although perhaps he was still injured), as for two quarters the team struggled to get the ball out of its defensive 50. A solitary Dunn kick would have solved the problem. But the backline did hold up under intense pressure to hold the opposition to a mere 10 goals. Oscar McDonald in the early days of his career was probably out of his depth, but he now has a few games under his belt, and another win to boot. He was well served in his apprenticeship alongside his brother Tom and Colin Garland. However, if he also becomes an integral part of this defensive wall then we will take yet another step along that path. Jack Viney was simply magnificent all day and topped the possessions list, proving that he has also probably taken another step forward. Clayton Oliver was a revelation, who only played 72% of game time, but had 15 contested possessions in his first game! This kid is seriously good, and the recruiting team must be pretty pleased with his performance, and theirs as well! Jack Watts was another revelation. 10 marks, with a good number contested are not numbers that we have seen from Jack ever in his time at the club. But he has continued his pre season form and what a change that is from previous years! There were still a number of passengers in the side, and the ¾ time status was damning for these players. In the past those same players would be pulling on the boots next week, but when you have Heritier Lumumba, Dunn, Angus Brayshaw, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch not to mention the huge figure of Christian Petracca all not considered or unavailable this week, the pressure for spots is genuine. Hopefully as Melbourne continues to take steps both forward and up the ladder it will be gifted some decent umpires. Messrs. Wallace, Chamberlain and Donlan had numerous howlers today, and it is about time the AFL taught them that the game is not about them, and their egos. Next week, its Essendon and their motley crew of fill-ins. Sadly it will only be round two for them, and while many were de-listed last year, they can still play football. They won’t be in as good condition after 20 games, but that is our lot. We just have to keep taking those steps forward, and this will be another one. Melbourne 5.0.30 5.4.34 6.5.41 12.8.80 Greater Western Sydney 3.4.22 6.8.44 8.14.62 e 10.18.78 Goals Melbourne Hogan 3 Garlett vandenBerg 2 Harmes Kennedy Kent Vince Watts. Greater Western Sydney Johnson Lobb Ward 2 Greene Scully Smith Steele Best Melbourne Viney Kennedy T McDonald Oliver N Jones Watts Hogan Greater Western Sydney Ward Scully Shaw Davis Shiel Lobb Changes Melbourne Nil Greater Western Sydney Nil Injuries Melbourne Oscar McDonald (ankle) Greater Western Sydney Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Greater Western Sydney Nil Umpires Chris Donlon Ray Chamberlain Brent Wallace Official Crowd 28,505 at MCG