Read more from Marc McGowan here. 

‘Absolutely spanked’: Demons shock Suns with win

An inspired Melbourne have spoiled Gold Coast’s undefeated run and notched a sensational win, prevailing at the MCG on Easter Sunday by 20 points.

Revitalised under new coach Steven King and energised by captain Max Gawn – who played his 250th game last week in the comeback win over Carlton – Melbourne shone with a fast handball game and an age-defying performance from veteran Jake Melksham.

In the words of Suns coach Damien Hardwick, the “underestimated” Demons “absolutely spanked” their opponents in the middle as they held on to win 16.13 (109) to 14.5 (89), defying predictions and denying the visitors an expected victory.

Only 24,287 were on hand at the MCG on Sunday, but the roar of the Demons’ faithful sounded far louder.

Read more from Hannah Kennelly here.

Same old Carlton? Actually, no: These numbers show the Blues are changing

The notion that nothing will change at Carlton until Michael Voss is removed as coach is misleading.
It’s more accurate to acknowledge that much at Carlton is being changed except, for now, the senior coach.

After such a poor start to the season, where the Blues remain overly reliant on scores from stoppages and can’t protect leads, that unfortunate step – Voss’ removal – now appears inevitable.

The wins and losses column, the manner of defeat and the inability to shift the way the team plays will likely lead to Voss’ demise. But the club is not worse due to his presence within it.

That’s worth remembering amid the more hysterical claims from some, though not all, of a justifiably frustrated and wounded supporter base.

Read more from Peter Ryan here.