It should have been James Harmes’ moment. Poised just outside Melbourne’s attacking 50 with ball in-hand, the game on the line, Harmes had the chance to win the game for his boyhood club.
He blazed away from 50, taking the responsibility… and missed.
A goal would’ve seen Melbourne win by three points and move to three wins and one loss. A look to the left would have revealed an unmarked Jeff Garlett in the forward 50 some ten metres closer to goal. The miss confined Melbourne to an even ledger with a tough game against Richmond to follow.
A game of football is intricately constructed of little moments and granted, hindsight allows us as critics to look smarter than we are. Harmes was running on adrenaline and the chance to kick the match-winning goal could not be given up easily by any player. However, it’s in these moments that finals-bound teams make the right decision.
This moment highlight is that Melbourne have some way to go mentally before they can be legitimate finals contenders. There is plenty of style and swagger to Melbourne, we just need to see some mental substance.
Some credit must go to Fremantle and Ross Lyon, delivered a coaching masterstroke and provided the best game of the season so far. Playing Nat Fyfe and David Mundy up forward, aided by a free-roaming Cam McCarthy and a straight-kicking Lachie Neale, Fremantle has unearthed some firepower in a forward line which was previously barren.
The Dockers, unrecognisable from the side which was embarrassed at Adelaide Oval a fortnight ago, performed blitzkrieg of remarkable proportions in the third quarter, led by their star players in David Mundy and captain Nat Fyfe. The offensive prowess shown through-out that 20-minute domination not only opened the game up but also showed Fremantle can be well and truly in the quest for finals come the season’s end.
To link back to the early example, Melbourne has shown it has finals ability yet at times, the second and last quarter prove it, but there is a lack of mental fortitude. Granted they miss Max Gawn, Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis, any team would but good teams find ways to win.
Melbourne were unable to halt a rampant Fremantle and their leaders were unable to stand up when the game mattered. Melbourne must find a plan B when teams come at them, their leaders must be ready to take control and win the game for their young side.
In a game of intricate moments, that is what separates good from great.
Kaniel Outis
Guest
Melbourne is the most tragic club in the AFL. They have had a history of manipulating drafts going right back to the 1990's when they would have an up year and then tank the following year for draft picks, all to win a grand final that has alluded them since the 1950's. Apart from Melbourne, every Victorian club has had a Norm Smith Medalist, including St Kilda, despite the fact that the last time they won a grand final was in 1966, Melbourne make out that they are some little club akin to St Kilda, North Melbourne, and Footscray. In reality they are the original born to rule club and are in the predicament they are in due to their own arrogance and mismanagement.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
The suspensions of Lewis and Hogan would underline your point there Rev, both hits were very against a team ethos and pointless, maybe it's cost the Demons two wins? It'll be interesting to see what Goodwin does going forward, it isn't a crisis like some suggest but there is a hurdle he has to climb if they want to make finals. A good test for him and the club.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
I agree 100%, there were many moments which could have changed the game especially with such a slender margin. The example wasn't meant to attack James Harmes it was more to highlight Melbourne don't win the crucial moments which make teams finals contenders. I thought Harmes was probably in Melbourne's best players overall on the weekend
Paul D
Roar Guru
Understandable the Dees have tailed off. They've already spent the last 5 years climbing out of the abyss - I don't think they quite realize as a group just how much more climbing is required to be excellent, rather than settling for not being terrible
Darren
Guest
Jack Viney missing after being delivered a 100m penalty would have also sealed it. Holding on in the back line to find a clean possession with 90 seconds remaining would have too. Kicking just one goal in the 3rd quarter. Converting one of the 6 behinds in the first quarter. Jack Watts getting a free kick for a trip in front of goal. All these things could have turned a game, but they didn't. We can't blame James Harmes (who kicked a couple of good goals too).
TheRev
Roar Pro
Well done mate, well written and I agree entirely. It appears that Melbourne expects to win this year, without putting in the hard work. They have been undisciplined and sloppy at times, which shows a general lack of commitment and discipline. They have come a long way, but then they had no choice other than dropping out of the league entirely. Will be interesting to see what Goodwin does to get them to knuckle down