More reaction to the stunning draw between Melbourne and Hawthorn...

Here’s some more reaction to tonight’s stunning result at the MCG...

Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q:Strange feeling with a draw tonight. You remain on top of the ladder. What did you take out of that experience at the MCG tonight?
A:Yeah,it was a bit of different game. Haven’t played in a draw before. Bit disappointing not to get the win. Probably silver lining with the two points staying on top.

Q:That’s the thing you’re on top of the ladder. The Hawks pressured you up really well tonight.
A:Credit to them. Brought their A-game to us. Played really well. Pressure was great. Got the ball movement forward.

Q:You have two other top-four teams in the run home. It’s going to be a really interesting finish to the year,isn’t it.
A:Yeah. It’s probably a good thing we’re versing[sic] the top-four teams. We play better against the better sides. Hopefully we can bring our best in those games and win a couple more.

Q:The Hawks certainly did their homework. We know how good the Dees are defensively particularly in the air with Lever and May back there for you boys. The Hawks kept the ball at ground level didn’t they and opened up some opportunities to go that way.
A:They went different avenue to goal. Credit to the small forwards and the forwards up there for competing and bringing the ball to ground. Did a good job. Unfortunately for us.

Q:What’s next for you now. Do you hang around tonight. What’s the moves for you guys in the next few days?
A:We’re not quite sure. Obviously with all the COVID stuff going on,yeah,there’s a few other teams at the Gold Coast. Teams everywhere. We’ll see what the coaches and everyone says. I honestly have no idea yet. Go back to the club next couple of days and reassess.

Q:Been outstanding year so far. Look at you play. I see sustained success in the game style and the way things are going. Can you describe what has made the difference this year as a team. Really feels as though as a group you believe as you said you can’t wait to play the top sides. You’ve got a great record.
A:We obviously had a good chat in the last year and couple of good chats throughout the pre-season. We talked as a team. We got a really good baseline for what we needed to play for and play for the team. May talked about a couple of times how we play with each other. Executing our roles. Playing for our teammates. Makes it a lot easier. Stacks up against when we need to.

Q:I thought tonight your overlap run was outstanding in your own game. Particularly late in the game when you were trying to come home and win. Are you fitter than you’ve ever been with your running. You seem to be covering the ground so well.
A:Credit to Darren Burgess. Everyone at the Dees are the fittest we’ve ever been. Best second-half teams. Credit to the strength and conditioning staff. Those sides. They’ve made everyone at the club as fit as they can be. Not many injuries. Ticking along pretty well.

Q:We can hear the disappointment in your voice. No doubt about that. But it has been a pretty big week at the football club as well. Lots of excitement with Simon Goodwin announcing you’ve broken the membership record. You’re also sitting in a really good position inside that top four. It must be a nice place to be in season 2021.
A:Yeah. Obviously it’s awesome to break the membership record. 52,000. Pretty excited we got that news. We’re playing good football at the moment. A bit inconsistent. Hopefully get back to the best and playing good footy.

Of course,that was the second draw of the season following on from North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney’s stalemate in Round 13 down in Tasmania.

And it was also the first ever draw played out between Hawthorn and Melbourne in 167 meetings.

Here’s some more reaction to tonight’s thrilling draw...

Tom Mitchell was sensational tonight,and would be hard-pressed to be denied the three Brownlow votes. He spoke to Channel Seven after the game...

Q:It’s a tough one. Such an amazing effort from young team tonight to draw with the Dees. You get that close it’s almost disappointing that you don’t win,isn’t it?
A:It is a little bit. Obviously the effort was pleasing. When it’s nail-biter like that you love to win. That was one of the weirdest games I’ve been part of. No crowd. No-one know what to think after a draw anyway. It was dead silence after the game.

Q:Tommy talk to us about your midfield tonight. It really seemed to click didn’t it. You once again amassed a massive 39 disposals. Between Worpel and O’Meara I thought it really worked well for you guys tonight.
A:It did. Liam Shiels is another one who rotated through there and James Cousins who came into the team tonight. We try and spread the load through there every week. All our mids contributed. Obviously Melbourne’s midfield is arguably the best in the comp. Viney,Petracca,Oliver,Gawn. We had our work cut out for us. The boys did well.

Q:Tell us about some of the young players and in particular Grainger-Barras down back. Only in his third game of footy tonight. Feels like he’s played about 50 games already.
A:Denver,he’s really tough. The way he attacks the ball in the air he’s like James Sicily. When we get them back we’ll have both of them looking forward to the combo.

Q:What about big Ned Reeves. Came back in for his third game of AFL footy tonight Tommy. ‘The big noodle’ like you call him down there at the Hawks. It’s encouraging to see this next wave and big ruckman at that getting the opportunity at senior level.
A:Big noodle. Been banging the door down all year. Great to see him get another chance tonight. Not sure where he ranked on tallest player in the game. He’s up there. He’s second. He’s got the
height. He’s still developing. He’ll be a good player.

Q:Tommy what about when you went forward tonight. Seemed like a plan to get it to ground level. When you did it looked dangerous at ground level. You’re able to out-hunt them a bit in the forward half when you got it that way. It’s not easy to score against Melbourne,we know that.
A:I was inspired by your Instagram stories Richo. Playing your highlights from your heyday. Thought I’d try and sneak forward and take a leaf out of your book. Obviously Tyler Brockman is another young guy who has a lot of spark. Reminds me of Chad Wingard,Cyril Rioli and talent. Luke Breust always does his thing. The talent is up there and hopefully get it down there more often.

Q:It feels like massive step forward for your young team tonight. So much inexperience. You must feel great where the club is heading given the effort tonight.
A:100 per cent. You look at the players we had out,our starting back line arguably could be out with Jiath,Hardwick,Sicily,Day,Scrimshaw,these types of players. The young guys had to step up tonight. Hopefully we found a few more players for the future. Exciting for the next five weeks to see what we can do.