Round 14, 2009
Melbourne vs West Coast
Saturday 4 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,149
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 6.1 | 11.2 | 16.6 | 17.10.112 |
| West Coast | 4.6 | 7.8 | 11.12 | 13.14.92 |
Melbourne win by 20 points
Goalkickers: Russell Robertson 4, Matthew Bate 2, Brad Green 2, Liam Jurrah 2, Ricky Petterd 2, Aaron Davey 1, Mark Jamar 1, Nathan Jones 1, Stefan Martin 1, Colin Sylvia 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Jack Grimes
2 - Brent Moloney
1 - Nathan Jones
Milestones:
Rising Star Nomination - Jack Grimes
Spurred on by emotion after the shock mid-week announce that President Jim Stynes was stepping down to battle cancer, the Dees faced their first winnable game in weeks as they took on a West Coast side who had lost their last 17 interstate games.
Pre-Match the side huddled around the number 37 jumper which Stynes had worn when he ran across the mark in the infamous 1987 Preliminary Final, and right from the start they took it up to the Eagles with aggression.
Some took the aggression too far. The Eagles were gifted two goals from free kicks and both Aaron Davey and Colin Sylvia were reported for striking. Sylvia would recieve a three match ban for his hit on Eagle Adam Selwood, while Davey would be cleared. Ricky Petterd was also reported for using abusing language.
The best first quarter under Dean Bailey's coaching reign became a four goal lead at three-quarter time.
In the fourth quarter the Eagles got the first two goals and the Dees missed several opportunities to put the game away. The Eagles couldn't get any closer than two goals behind and when Robertson slotted his fourth deep into the fourth quarter the game was over.
Jack Grimes was outstanding and recieved a Rising Star nomination for his 29 possession, 16 mark game. Brock McLean also returned from a rough month with a good game. Mark Jamar who took advantage of the inexperienced Eagles ruck division to play a great game which he topped off by kicking a snap on the run during the third quarter.
James McDonald and Aaron Davey carried Stynes' jumper from the match in a show of respect. Best were Grimes, McLean and Jamar.
Colin Sylvia was suspended for three matches for striking and Ricky Petterd fined $900 for abusive language.
Lists
Tribunal
Links
Demonblog match review
FanFooty scores
Footy Almanac
Media
Age - 04/07/2009