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MELBOURNE'S banner read "Let's make excellence'', but the question was whether the Demons would "make Lance excel''.
Lance "Buddy'' Franklin was stepping onto the MCG turf for the first time since stepping down from the premiership dais seven months ago. And after a week in which he had made headlines for demolishing five cars in a leafy inner- suburban street, there was a suspicion he might take out his frustrations by demolishing the Demons.
Jay Kennedy-Harris of the Demons is tackled by Daniel Hannebery. Photo by Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images
Instead, Franklin was largely a passenger in this match, spending the first quarter grappling and wrestling with opponents (one of whom, Alex Georgiou, sat him on his backside) and looking for free kicks (one of which provided his only goal, four minutes into the match). He went without a touch in the second term.
Jeremy Howe takes a hanger on Ben McGlynn. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia
The former Hawk too often attempted to take the ball on his chest and looks to have completely lost the ability to take a strong overhead mark. When he attempted to do so midway through the third quarter he, ahem, crashed heavily and limped off with a sore knee.
His replacement was handy enough: Adam Goodes charged onto the ground and drew an enormous cheer when he ran onto a handball and launched a 55-metre shot at goal that was marked by a Melbourne defender next to the point post. Goodes brought with him a spark and some energy.
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"It's what I get paid to do, so it was nice to come out here after a long spell and get a few kicks and prepare for next week by getting a half and improve as we go," Goodes said after the game.
"Yeah it's awesome, he (Goodes) is the heart and soul of the footy team and he's been driving all the boys after some poor footy at the start of the year and it's great to have him back and we are hoping he can keep building and be a vital part for the rest of the year," added Dan Hannebery.
Lance Franklin sits on the bench injured with ice on his knee Photo by Scott Barbour. Source: Getty Images
The match could certainly have done with some Buddy magic, because it was an otherwise fairly dour affair.
The two teams slugged it out in the midfield, where the likes of Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross, Jack Viney and Matt Jones matched Sydney's renowned hardness at the ball, if not its polish and composure. And with the game struggling to break free of being a series of congested, high-pressure scrambles, that Swans midfield polish was decisive.
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Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy all found ways to use their disposal to put a teammate into space, but more importantly they all contributed goals. In a low-scoring match, in which both teams struggled to take marks inside their forward 50, those goals were crucial.
Stacks on Melbourne's Neville Jetta. Photo by Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images
The run of Nick Malcevski and Rhyce Shaw off half back was also significant.
Melbourne went into this match averaging the fewest points of any team (57), but never looked close to reaching that figure in perfect conditions, struggling to kick one goal a quarter.
The Demons tried their utmost to apply defensive pressure in their attacking half and to clog up the space when Sydney went into its forward 50. But in the end they looked more like a team intent on minimising the damage than capable of winning the match.
"To their credit they went one and one at us and unfortunately in the first half they had us in those tough one on ones, so to get away with the four points tonight — not playing great footy — is a good effort," Goodes said.
Adam Goodes started the game in the unusual position of the substitute. Photo by Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images
Lynden Dunn, Cam Pedersen and Tom McDonald all battled bravely in the back half, but in James Frawley and Chris Dawes had relatively quiet games, and none of the crumbers at their feet could make an impact.
The most exciting memory Melbourne fans will take away from the match were the exciting glimpses of debutant Christian Salem, whose reputation for precise ball use and clean handling looks well founded.
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The only thing that remains to be seen is whether Salem, unlike Buddy, is a good driver in heavy traffic.
MELBOURNE: 5.8 (38)
SYDNEY: 9.15 (69)
WARWICK GREEN'S BEST
SYD: Hannebery, Jack, Parker, Rampe, Kennedy, Malceski, Shaw.
MELB: N Jones, Dunn, Pedersen, Vince, M. Jones, Grimes.
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