Jack Viney and Oliver Wines had much in common growing up in the Victorian country town of Echuca. They were best mates, playing a game they loved. That friendly rivalry was taken to the centre stage of the MCG, as they made their AFL debuts in round one. Viney put many of his Demons teammates to shame with a stunning debut. Viney was Melbourne's best player and the club's second-leading possession winner with 22 disposals (15 contested) and a goal, while Wines was also impressive with 24 disposals, seven inside 50s and his own maiden AFL goal.??
2. Exorcising their MCG demons?
Melbourne held a stranglehold over Port Adelaide at the MCG. The Demons had won seven of the eight games against the Power at the venue by an average of 32 points. The Power's lone win came in 2007. But it was clear from the outset that the Power were out to erase that trend, kicking 11 first half goals to the Demons' seven. They then booted five goals to nil in the third term to blow the game open and carried that momentum into the fourth to extend their margin to 79 points at the final siren.
3. Shaun Smith MK II?
Jay Schulz put forward his early Mark of the Year contender with a Shaun Smith-like hanger in the second quarter. But there was some debate about whether it should have been paid. The long ball kicked in from Brad Ebert looked as if it had carried well over the goal line, before Schulz launched across the back of the pack converging in the goalsquare. The umpires hastily called for a score review, with the video umpire determining that the mark, not Ebert's goal, should stand. Even though it appeared to cross the line, there weren't too many complaints over the decision.
4. From stretcher to sub
A collective groan from the Melbourne faithful rang around the MCG when key forward Mitch Clark went down in pain clutching his left ankle. He instantly stuck his hand up and looked towards the medical staff for some relief. The stretcher was called and every Melbourne fan feared the worst. Clark hobbled off and went straight down to the rooms. He re-emerged at three-quarter time and remarkably lined up at full forward to start the fourth term. But it was clear the ankle was troubling him and he was duly subbed off not long after.
5. New club, first win
Port Adelaide recruit Campbell Heath played his first game for the Power after four years with the Sydney Swans. Heath's maiden game with the Power was also his first win in the AFL and he reminded coach Ken Hinkley after the game. Heath had 10 possessions and played a valuable role in defence. Carrying on with the first theme, Heath, who turns 22 on Monday, also booted his first goal in the AFL against the Demons.
