MELBOURNE created history and kept its undefeated record intact last night with a win over Geelong in the first ever meeting between the sides for premiership points.

As much as Melbourne’s ball movement got going more as the match progressed to help the Dees to the win, there was one match up that perhaps flew under the radar that was just as crucial.

Chloe Scheer may not have the height of some of Geelong’s other forwards, but she is just as valuable to her side in so many other ways. She is the sneaky type of forward, with a strong marking ability who can get out the back and do plenty of damage.

Last night, she was far from reaching the heights she has in previous weeks, either literally or metaphorically. With only the three disposals, one mark, zero goals and under 10m gained, her impact was limited. It was largely thanks to the work of her opponent for the night, returning Dee Gabby Colvin.

Colvin normally plays on much taller opponents than Scheer, but last night showed that height is not the only factor when it comes to good matchups.

Colvin often flies under the radar and is not a high disposal winner herself, but the kind of role she played last night in limiting the influence of players like Scheer proves what kind of an asset she is to the Dees.

Colvin played close attention to Scheer’s movements all night, and it was clear Colvin always had one eye on the lively forward. The one thing with Scheer is to not give her any room to run or any easy attempts at marking, and that is exactly what Colvin did. Colvin has always been a strong spoiler of the ball, and that was again evident last night as she was right there attempting to spoil the ball and get in Scheer’s way every time the forward went for the ball.

The last time Scheer had an impact on a game this small was back in Round 3, which was Geelong’s only other loss so far this season, so that goes to show how much it can hurt Geelong to keep her quiet.

Colvin’s work may have flown under the radar for some, but was certainly noticed by her coach Mick Stinear last night.

“Gabby was brilliant” Stinear said, speaking after last night’s match.

“I didn’t realise until during the week [but] her last game was the Grand Final loss against Adelaide nearly 18 months ago. She’s had a block of four weeks and been playing some really good games in the scrimmage games.

“She’s built up her match fitness, her confidence and then to come out tonight, a great forward in Chloe Scheer and to keep her pretty quiet throughout the game and finish the game really strong, so Gab’s done a brilliant job and I know her team love playing with her. She’s pretty hard at it and pretty fearless.”