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Fair warning to any residents in the vicinity of the MCG, there could be a noise disturbance in the way of Gala’s ‘Freed from Desire’ as the Demons kick off 2022 with a 26-point victory over the Bulldogs.
It may have been six months since the grand final, but Christian Petracca has not missed a step, tearing apart the Bulldogs’ midfield right from the start of the season opener.
A late out in Steph Martin allowed Max Gawn to serve the ball on the platter to his midfielders, who dominated the opening term.
Melbourne kicked the opening four goals of the game, mirroring the grand final in Perth, and kept the Bulldogs goalless until 26 minutes into the term.
Joel Smith and Ben Brown were prolific in the bookends, with the latter arguably being the best on ground in the opening term with his influence.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Bailey Dale was the standout for the Dogs early outside of the usual duo in Jackson Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli.
The quarter finished 29-14 to the Demons after a questionable free kick to Cody Weightman in the dying seconds.
It was hard to expect the momentum shift that free kick would cause, with the Bulldogs kicking the first six goals in the quarter to take a 29-point lead.
Bailey Smith and Aaron Naughton took control of the quarter and propelled the Dogs early. Petracca didn’t take a backward step, adding another nine disposals to his tally.
The difference began with the energy from the Dogs, who had 20 tackles compared to 12 in the first quarter. There was enough of a rise in defensive effort to suffocate the Melbourne offensive unit.
Melbourne evened out through the halfway mark of the second term, kicking two of their own and bringing the ball into an arm wrestle, and going into half time with a nine-point deficit.
The story of the second half shaped up to be which midfield could get to the ball to their spearhead more. Brown and Naughton both looked for a big night.
Like a perfectly scripted night, the third term ran back in favour of the Demons with four goals to none.
As if there weren’t enough grand final comparisons getting around, Luke Jackson grabbed the game with both hands after the main break, snagging a goal and making his presence felt around the hallowed turf of the MCG.
It was a quarter for the outside runners and the big forwards. Ed Langdon, Bailey Dale, and Caleb Daniel continued to accumulate and steal territory for their respective sides.
Meanwhile, both attacking 50s were dominated in the air. Naughton was an ever-dangerous body while Brown and Bayley Fritsch put points on the scoreboard, taking the Demons up 68-53 with a quarter to play.
A brilliant effort in the defensive half from Melbourne saw them home to a 26-point victory. They kicked off their title defence in 2022.
Don’t be surprised to hear the words ‘C. Petracca, three votes’ come Brownlow night. There was no stopping the Norm Smith medallist, with 38 touches and two goals.
Bailey Smith looked to continue his form from the finals series. There were 33 touches and 11 tackles for the young Bulldog.
Ultimately, the red, white, and blue ran out of legs in the final term, and couldn’t keep with the smooth-moving Demons.
The positives for all footy fans remain that our favourite time of year is back, and we’ve got another six months to look forward to.
If this game is anything to go off, season 2022 is going to be a good one.
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