AAP2 Minute Read
Melbourne young gun Jacob van Rooyen has moved on from his tribunal controversy with a goal and an assist in the AFL premiership fancies’ 54-point victory over Hawthorn.
The Demons killed off the contest with the first six majors but took their collective foot off the pedal for a period of the second half in Saturday’s comfortable 15.13 (103) to 7.7 (49) win at the MCG.
Midfield stars Clayton Oliver (34 disposals), Christian Petracca (30) and Jack Viney (31) were all important in delivering a result that could leave Melbourne (7-2) sitting on top of the ladder at the end of round nine.
Van Rooyen initially had his controversial two-match ban for striking Gold Coast’s Charlie Ballard upheld at the tribunal but it was overturned on appeal, leaving him free to play against the Hawks.
The 20-year-old tall was a little jittery early but finished with 14 disposals and five marks, and was one of a dozen Melbourne goal-kickers.
Harry Petty kicked two majors before he was substituted out of the game with a bruised foot.
Charlie Spargo and Bayley Fritsch also finished with two, and All-Australian defender Steven May marshalled the back-line in his 200th game.
A sixth straight defeat was another tough pill for Hawthorn to swallow in a tough season.
The Hawks were well off the pace in the first half, with their woes compounded by injury issues for James Blanck (corked quad) and late withdrawal Ned Reeves (ankle).
Young midfielder Jai Newcombe will also come under scrutiny from the match review officer for a jab to Oliver’s stomach at a centre bounce.
Melbourne’s control was established early as their dominance around the contest led to a 23-0 head-start and a 34-point advantage at quarter-time.
The Hawks’ only goal of the first half was fortuitous, coming through Mitch Lewis when the key forward was not penalised for a push in May’s back.
Newcombe (26 disposals), Will Day (29) and James Worpel (26) breathed life into the contest as Hawthorn showed fight, outscoring Melbourne in the third term and trimming the margin to 27 points.
But the Demons had too much polish and a greater spread of contributors, and were never seriously threatened before kicking clear again in the final term.