Round 19 – Melbourne v Adelaide

Liam Chambers

Q1 – Sizing each other up.

The Crows have been a mixed bag this season. They’ve beaten Port Adelaide and Brisbane, then only lost to Collingwood by one point at home and by two points away. Yet they look like missing finals this year. As they obviously save their best for the top four teams, Melbourne couldn’t afford any complacency.

Max Gawn loves the big moments and had the first opportunity to show off his talents when he marked a soccer chip from Kysaiah Pickett. His set shot from just outside 50 didn’t quite reach the heights of last week’s effort but still sailed easily through the uprights.

In reply, Izak Rankine missed a relatively straightforward set shot but a minute later scored a brilliant individual goal from the other pocket; his style reminiscent of Kozzie Pickett.

Jacob van Rooyen again showed how dangerous he can be in marking competitions when he launched and held the ball, 30m from goal. He also doesn’t miss too many set shots.

The term ended with Melbourne leading by a slim four point margin. Adelaide’s season was on the line so playing defensively wasn’t an option for the visitors. It was either win or go down fighting.

Q – Melbourne leaves the door ajar.

The Dees had been relatively cautious in the first quarter, but the opening moments after the break were inspired. Trent Rivers’ high speed run up the wing, meant Pickett was able to position himself to receive the hand pass which came via Alex Neal-Bullen. Kozzie’s kick to inside 50 was met by Kade Chandler, who launched himself to take the mark, then converted with ease.

The tackling pressure from both sides became more intense, but it was Melbourne who was able to forge ahead and spend more time inside their forward 50.

Chandler got his second of the quarter by being on the end of a chain involving Christian Salem, James Jordan, Ed Langdon and Neal-Bullen. The 40m set shot was well executed, increasing the Demons’ lead to seventeen points.

Melbourne had another immediately after the bounce, with Jake Melksham marking on the edge of the goal square. With the margin out to twenty three points, it looked like plain sailing for the Dees. When Melksham got his second from a running chip 30m out, Demon fans could have been forgiven for their belief that the complete domination of Adelaide would continue.

However, that belief was shattered when Tex Walker marked the ball just to the right of the goal square. In fact, that goal was the culmination of a five minute period where the Crows had steadily worked their way back into the game.

After the goal, Adelaide continued to bombard the Dees’ defence before finally getting the follow up when Izak Rankine was just able to get a boot to the sherrin on the edge of the square, guiding it across the line.

Q – Adelaide gets up off the canvas.

For all Melbourne’s dominance for most of the second quarter, they were only ahead by thirteen points at the main break. Adelaide had been able to work their way back into the contest by upping the pressure and forcing the Dees to continually defend.

Whatever was discussed at half time, had an immediate effect, as Melbourne ran out looking determine to reassert their authority. Kozzie Pickett, who was having a good game, was again pivotable in the Dees dash towards goal. 150th gamer Ed Langdon, ran inside 50 and launched a centring kick that Jack Viney marked with his right hand, somehow managing to retain the ball while spinning around. He converted with an around the corner kick to push the lead out to nineteen points.

As previously mentioned, Pickett had been instrumental in a lot of Melbourne’s play during the afternoon, and when Lachie Hunter launched inside 50, Kozzie was on hand to take the mark. His run around set shot from 40m was on song, stretching the margin to twenty four.

When Pickett’s in the zone, he’s difficult to reign in. His second goal was a lesson in individuality. His initial collection of the ground ball in the pocket was impressive and his subsequent weave through the Crows’ defence, followed by the snap from 15m was superb. It gave the Dees a game high lead of thirty two points.

In a case of history repeating itself, Adelaide again got off the canvas while the Ref was counting to ten. Again Izak Rankine emulated his opponent Kozzie Pickett in leading his side’s revival. After collecting the tapped down ball on the edge of 50, he ran on and casually chipped from 40m to claw one back.

The comeback was temporarily arrested when Taj Woewodin marked and kicked inside 50, where Alex Neal-Bullen ran out to meet the perfectly weighted ball. The hard working midfielder then went back and converted the 30m set shot.

An uncharacteristic mistake in defence allowed the turnover, which Lachlan Murphy exploited to snap a goal from 30m in front. Then Darcy Fogarty marked on the 50m arc, and his set shot kick just snuck inside the right hand upright.

Finally Max Gawn put Melbourne back in the driver’s seat when he marked the ball 20m from the goal line.

Q – The Crows rise again but are unable to take flight.

With the Dees leading by twenty three points at the start of the final term, all the smart money was on a comfortable win for the hosts, given their strong fourth quarter performances this year. But yet again, the Crows would attempt to defy expectations.

Shane McAdam started the turnaround when he marked and converted from 30m. After the bounce, Adelaide were straight back inside 50, where Ben Keays was able to control the bouncing ball and snap from 30m in front.

It was back to a two goal game and all the momentum was suddenly with the Crows.

Ben Keays had a second in quick succession when he was awarded a down field free for an infringement on the 50m arc. Hi around the corner kick from the pocket was on target and Adelaide was on the cusp of catching the Dees. The Crows finally drew level after Tex Walker took advantage of the confusion in defence to collect the ground ball and strike his second of the match.

What a difference a sub makes! Joel Smith, who had just come on for Ben Brown, took a mark directly in front and kicked from point blank range, after also being awarded a 50m penalty. With the Demons collective blood pressure partially reduced, the players continued rebuilding their advantage.

Joel Smith was also involved in the next goal when his kick to Taj Woewodin was marked on the edge of the square. The successful set shot pushed Melbourne’s lead out to fourteen points. After that, Kade Chandler marked inside 50 and went back to kick his hat trick.

It wasn’t over yet though as Shane McAdam marked the ball just inside 50. His opportunistic hand pass to Tex Walker allowed the goal scoring machine to launch from 50m and also claim his third.

Melbourne had a chance to seal the deal with a couple of successive set shots but could only manage minor scores.

Then with four minutes to go, Brodie Smith kicked from 50m to reduce the gap to ten points.

The drama continued when Izak Rankine pulled a hamstring with two minutes remaining. It was a tragic end to an inspirational afternoon for the small forward as he was helped off the field. In a final nail biting twist, Tex Walker marked at the top of the square. His set shot was easily converted, making it a four point game.

Fortunately, the Dees hung on for a hard fought win, which now makes the job of maintaining fourth spot on the ladder a little easier.

We’re away to Richmond in Round 20. They will be every bit as tough as Adelaide, so we better be prepared to scrap hard.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 18 – Melbourne V Brisbane

Liam Chambers

Q1 – The Demons come out fighting.

It was a must win game for the Demons if they were to maintain the coveted top four position. Geelong is making a late dash and we don’t want them to usurp us in the last weeks of the regular season. On the positive side, the Lions have been underperforming in their away games and the MCG hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for them in almost a decade.

Melbourne went hard early hoping to catch Brisbane napping. Let’s just say, the Lions were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, while the Dees tore through the visitors’ back line.

Alex Neal-Bullen kicked the opener from a free, after he was taken out of the marking contest, just to the right of the square. It was an easy conversion, and the Dees were away.

A minute later, Christian Petracca had his first, after controlling the bouncing ball, then turning and snapping from 15m in front. Two minutes later, Petracca had a second when he marked on the arc, then ran in a semi-circle before booting from 50m to split the middle.

Dees fans little time to bask in their team’s reflected glory though, as Ben Brown was awarded a free against Harris Andrews, who was caught holding the ball. Big Ben’s signature long run up set shot resulted in the key forward hitting the target from 50m.

With four goals in ten minutes, Melbourne had reason to feel very happy with their performance. It was only a matter of time though before Brisbane settled down and showed what a quality opponent they can be.

Slowly, the Lions started to wrest back some momentum, culminating in Zac Bailey’s 50m set shot hitting the spot and giving his team their first major. Despite Brisbane’s new found dominance, it was the Dees who picked up the next goal, via a great team effort.

Jake Melksham controlled the bouncing ball, then turned and snapped to Ben Brown inside 50. Brown marked and ran on, then unselfishly hand passed to Charlie Spargo, as he hovered on the edge of the square. The small forward strolled to goal line and hammered it home for Melbourne’s fifth.

After the goal, Brisbane resumed control of the game but were unable to make the most of their chances. Then, with three minutes remaining, Charlie Cameron ran out to take a mark, 20m from the goal line. It was a piece of cake for the high scoring Cameron and Brisbane narrowed the margin to seventeen points. It was already a goal fest for the fans but there were more majors to come.

First Kysaiah Pickett was awarded a free for his tackle on Darcy Wilmot in the pocket. Kozzie has struggled to put points on the board in recent weeks, but his 35m set shot from the tight angle was perfect.

Then, Joe Daniher marked the ball in a similar spot, up the other end. His kick after the siren sailed through, setting up an exciting second term.

Q2 – The Lions even the score.

The opening chapter of our heroic tale had been a quarter of two halves, with first Melbourne and then Brisbane dominating; the Lions carrying the momentum into the break.

The Demons got the opener though, after Brisbane turned the ball over, allowing Jake Bowey the opportunity to collect and snap from 40m.

After the bounce, Melbourne continued to worry the Brisbane defence before the visitors broke through and transitioned the length of the ground. Oscar McInerney, lumbering inside 50, was able to collect the ball and just manage to tap it through the uprights. Then the Lions had back to back majors when Will Ashcroft was the last link in a seamless end to end chain. His 40m kick from the pocket was only ever going between the uprights, and Brisbane gave the screw another turn.

After that, the Lions went up a gear, controlling the game with Melbourne valiantly fending off wave after wave of attacks. Finally though, Jaspa Fletcher took an intercept mark and bounced his way inside 50, before unleashing from 40m.

It was now a five point game with the Lions well and truly on top; the pressure continuing unabated. It was only a matter of time before Brisbane took the lead. The inevitable happened when Jack Gunston cleanly converted his 40m set shot, putting the Lions ahead by a single point.

Then, when it looked like Melbourne risked falling further behind, Petracca took a mark inside 50. He went back and kicked from the 50m line, claiming his hat trick.

Brisbane wasn’t to be denied their half time lead though. With thirty nine seconds to go, Lincoln McCarthy marked at the top of the square and put the Lions ahead again.

Q3 – Brisbane turn it up to eleven.

Melbourne dominated the stats in the first half, but Brisbane transitioned the ball better and made the most of their opportunities inside 50. In order to take back control, the Dees needed to emulate the Lions’ kicking efficiency.

Unfortunately, Brisbane hit the scoreboard first when Lincoln McCarthy kicked another goal after he marked 35m out. It was back to back majors for the forward and just the start the Lions wanted.

Undeterred, Melbourne went on to win the clearance and launched an immediate attack. Taj Woewodin, who almost kicked a goal on his debut in Round 17, was not to be denied a second time, as his 45m shot from the boundary found the target. There was much rejoicing as his team mates gathered around to celebrate.

The scoreline see sawed as the goals continued with Jack Gunston snapping from 15m, returning the margin to seven points. Despite the numbers on the board, the Lions were owning the quarter, keeping the Dees hemmed inside their defensive half.

Melbourne withstood the avalanche of pressure for what seemed like an eternity, before Brisbane finally broke through, courtesy of a Zac Bailey’s snap from 30m. The juggernaut from the north continued to ride roughshod over the Demons’ defence, scoring their third in a row when Jarryd Lyons snapped a bullet from 48m. More torture ensued when Jack Gunston marked and scored from a 30m set shot.

The outlook for Melbourne was bleak with the Lions completely dominating inside 50 and being frustratingly accurate with their kicking. It was a worried looking coach on the sidelines, as Simon Goodwin pondered his options in a game rapidly slipping from his grasp. To add to the pain, Harrison Petty was subbed out with an injury. His replacement Joel Smith ran on to take up the fight.

Then, a moment of sweet relief, when Kozzie Pickett swooped to collect the loose ball, before finding enough space to launch and score from 25m.

Regrettably, the relief was short lived as Eric Hipwood converted from deep in the pocket to restore the twenty eight point margin.

Captain Max Gawn, who was in his element dominating the ruck all night, was suddenly gifted a free kick from 45m out. Gawny kicked for the stars and was rewarded when his shot fell back down to earth, just behind the goal line. It was the boost and injection of self-belief that the Dees needed, and the fans were ecstatic.

It looked like Melbourne might get another, immediately after the bounce, but Brisbane turned the ball around and got it up the other end. There, Charlie Cameron kicked his second, with the shot coming off the inside of his left boot.

There was an encouraging end to the quarter though, and reason for optimism, as Jacob van Rooyen took up the ruck position, tapping down the ball, where Kozzie collected and passed to Petracca, allowing him to snap his fourth of the night.

Q4 – The miracle at the MCG.

On paper, the Lions had the game in the bag, but the Demons have played some great footy in the last term this season. However, a win for Brisbane would greatly assist their chances of securing a top two spot, so there was motivation aplenty.

When Joe Daniher hit the turf like he was auditioning for the Fall Guy reboot, it appeared to be a case of signed, sealed and delivered for the Lions. Joe slotted the set shot for his third of the night and Steven May was left fuming that his gentle caress of Daniher’s back had handed Brisbane a twenty six point lead.

Possibly because the Lions felt safe enough to relax, or the Dees were naturally motivated by the injustice of it all, is uncertain (possibly a combination of both) but the incident proved a catalyst for a Demon revival.

The determination was unquestionable, but it seemed that old accuracy hoodoo was again haunting Melbourne, with three minor scores in a row. When James Jordan put his set shot wide and the clock slipped under ten minutes, a victorious comeback seemed a bridge too far. 

However, master bridge builder Max Gawn continued to lay the ground work, refusing to submit and urging his troops forward. As the minutes ticked away, the four goal disadvantage pushed victory further and further out towards the horizon.

Then with just over seven minutes remaining, Kozzie went for a mark just outside the 50m line; bent down to retrieve the ground ball while evading two encroaching Lions, then ran on, kicking with his left boot. The ball curved slowly in a beautiful arc that could have been set to music. Finally, and incredibly it floated between the posts.

Now, it was caution to the wind time, as Melbourne took their momentum and launched themselves at Brisbane with no thoughts for the consequences. Another minor score and then a wonderfully placed kick by Gawn, which was marked in the pocket by Jake Melksham. The around the corner set shot kick went through and took the Dees to within two goals of the Lions, with less than five minutes to play.

The Lions were under siege and a rushed behind ensued. Then a stoppage where the ball was tapped down. Oscar McInerney grabbed the sherrin, but he had it ripped from his hands by the iron willed Jack Viney; the midfielder then spun around and snapped at goal, taking the Dees to within five points of an unbelievable upset.

Melbourne had two minutes to win the match and the Lions had two minutes to deny them. The entire MCG was in a heightened state of tension.

When Angus Brayshaw’s kick inside 50 soared high, all eyes were on the ball, but it was Jake Melksham who ended up with the sherrin tightly clasped in his hands, as he tumbled across the turf. Taking the full thirty seconds, Melksham went back to kick perhaps the most important shot of his career. The kick, when it left his boot from just inside 50, was pure perfection. As the ball crossed the goal line, the roar from the crowd was deafening.

With ten seconds left, the Lions made one last desperate dash. The ball sailed towards Brisbane’s goal, but the mark was taken on Jake Lever’s chest, with Eric Hipwood’s arm draped across his shoulder. The mark was rightfully claimed by Lever, despite pleas from Hipwood to the umpire that he had marked it. Maybe the Brisbane fans believed that but nobody else was buying it.

While the history of the Melbourne club continues to be written, a special paragraph should be dedicated to this famous victory.

We host the Adelaide Crows in Round 19. They may be fading towards the business end of the season, but we would be foolish indeed to dismiss them.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 17 – St Kilda V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

With a roof over their heads, Melbourne didn’t have to worry about playing in the rain this week. Also, their recent record at Marvel has been good, boding well for the must win match.

The game started badly for St Kilda when star goal kicker Max King made his way off the field with an injured shoulder; his season potentially over. Demon fans would cast their minds back to Round 15 when Jeremy Cameron’s injury only motivated Geelong to play one of their best games all year.

Alex Neal-Bullen put the Dees on the board by emerging from a stoppage, stumbling into the square, evading the grasping Saints and landing a kick into the goal.

Afterwards, St Kilda’s pressure was incessant as they pushed Melbourne back into their defensive half. Their sheer determination meant something would eventually have to give, and it did when Jack Steele took a mark just inside the arc. He kicked the 50m set shot, levelling the scores.

After the goal, the Saints took advantage of their momentum, forcing Melbourne to continually defend. A few efforts were thwarted before Jade Gresham booted a long shot from 55m to give his side a nine point lead. While the goal was being celebrated, Seb Ross was sitting forlornly on the bench with a suspected hamstring injury, and he too was subbed out. A minute later St Kilda extended their lead further when Mason Wood snapped from 40m in front.

We could have been forgiven for thinking the Saints were on a thumping victory trajectory, but I clung to my optimistic pre game prediction of a six goal first term for the Dees. They said I was a dreamer, but I said, “I’m not the only one”.

After the bounce, Melbourne won the clearance and took off for goal like the winner of a one minute trolley dash; eventuating in Lachie Hunter being taken high on the edge of the square. The wingman converted to reduce the deficit. The Dees had a second in quick succession when Ben Brown stole the mark, 30m from goal.

Then Ed Langdon gave Melbourne the lead with his opportunistic attempt from the right of the goal square. Ed looked slightly perplexed, as he was helped to his feet by his team mates; possibly not realising that the ball had gone through the uprights.

Once St Kilda had recovered from the flurry of Demon goals, they quickly regrouped and resumed their attack on Melbourne’s defence. They couldn’t quite regain their earlier momentum however and the Dees easily dealt with the renewed pressure.

Then with under three minutes remaining, Christian Petracca took an exceptional mark deep inside 50, and was quickly goalward bound before booting the ball from the middle of the goal square, sending it high into the stands.

Melbourne maintained the lead despite Mattaes Phillipou’s attempt, which actually landed on top of the upright. Luckily, there’s no points for trick shots of that quality. Angus Brayshaw attempted a 60 plus metre shot after the siren but unfortunately was unable to fulfill my prophecy of six majors in the quarter.

Q2 – three Saints down

With three of their players subbed out, the Saints looked to be on the back foot. They obviously didn’t get the memo though, as they continued to go all out in attacking Melbourne. The pressure was paying off with St Kilda setting up several set shots on goal, as well as creating other opportunities inside 50. However, they were suffering from the same affliction that has plagued the Dees for the past month and their accuracy left a lot to be desired.

The Saints completely dominated the first half of the term, but then Melbourne slotted the opening goal against run of play. Jake Melksham has settled nicely into his role as Bailey Fritsch’s replacement. His around the corner from deep in the pocket was perfectly executed.

After the goal, St Kilda just kept pushing forward before Mitch Owens was awarded a free kick in the square. It was an easy set shot to make it a one goal game.

The Dees counter attacked after the bounce and eventually landed the ball inside 50, where Ben Brown went for the mark and was taken high. Tom Sparrow immediately played on, taking the advantage and snapping from 25m to restore the lead to twelve points.

Melbourne then assumed control of the ball, slowing down the play to their advantage. The Saints just kept coming though, powering forward when they got hold of the sherrin. They couldn’t slot any more goals before half time though, trailing the Dees by thirteen points at the break.

Q3 – a slim 2 points

Whereas the Saints had dominate inside 50 in the first half, their efficiency once inside the arc was severely lacking. Also, Steven May was having an enormous night. Not having to shadow Max King, freed up the defender to intercept mark like it was going out of fashion.

Five minutes in, Jake Melksham hit the post with his around the corner set shot attempt, making it three all for posters so far in the game.

When Christian Petracca took an intercept mark, 40m from the target, he had the look of a player who had rediscovered his goal kicking mojo. He steered the shot cleanly giving the Dees a twenty one point cushion.

The Saints were still in it though and when Jack Billings converted from 40m in the pocket, St Kilda fans were on their feet. They barely had time to sit down again when Cooper Sharman took a mark 30m in front. Suddenly the lead had been whittled down to nine points and the hosts were again threatening an upset.

Melbourne though, was able to pad out their buffer when Ben Brown tapped down an attempted mark and Petracca ran past, collecting the footy en route. The all rounder then booted from the edge of the square to claim his hat trick.

There were no more goals when the three quarter siren sounded, with the Dees having won the term by a slim two points.

Q4 – all over with Trac’s 4th

The Saints had given everything in the first three quarters in an attempt to climb over the top of the Demons. The question now was, could they maintain the rage and clinch a famous victory.

The home crowd was cheering on their understrength side, willing them to keep going and they didn’t disappoint. The pressure on Melbourne defensive half was unrelenting and there were a few fumbles and stumbles along the way, as they continued to deflect the onslaught.

Fortunately for the Dees, St Kilda was unable to convert their chances. The Saints would have reflected on the bitter irony that the team who struggled to hit the target in recent games, was now landing goals against the run of play. Jake Melksham kicked his second from another round the corner shot; doing a great job filling Bailey Fritsch’s footy boots.

Then, just when the Demon army thought it was safe to relax, St Kilda stole one back twenty seconds after the clearance. Mitch Owens found just enough space to snap one from the top of the goal square.

Melbourne almost returned the favour, after winning the hitout and taking off for goal. The debutant Taj Woewodin received a handball as he ran inside 50, then snapped from 30m. His spontaneous celebrations were premature unfortunately, as the sherrin just skimmed the outside of the right hand upright.

A few minutes later Tom “Jack” Sparrow created his own piece of history when marked and converted to score his second goal in a match, for the first time in his sixty six game career. Surely Sparrow’s goal was going to seal the deal? Dees’ fans couldn’t relax though. Back to back losses and a gritty St Kilda side were enough to keep the doubt alive.

When Jake Gresham nailed his 40m set shot, the Saints still had five minutes kick another three goals and win.

It looked like St Kilda could in fact pull off a miracle when Mitch Owens marked five metres from the goal line. It was a false dawn however as Judd McVee was held off the ball behind the marker and awarded a free kick. The fans were incensed but the free was legit.

The Saints would be justified in believing that they had somehow angered the footy gods when Cooper Sherman’s snap from 35m landed next to the goal line before flipping back into the hands of Ed Langdon.

With a minute to go, St Kilda knew it was all over but would still have been dismayed to see Christian Petracca mark a Jake Melksham kick, 40m out in the pocket. Tracca then capped off a stirling game with his superbly taken set shot to notch up his fourth goal.

Post match – locking down 4th

With the victory, the Dees managed to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. It was hard won and locked them into fourth spot on the ladder.

Congratulations to Christian Salem on his milestone 150th game. His twenty four disposals was an integral cog in the Melbourne machine on the day.

Brisbane are seemingly invincible at the Gabbatoir but surprisingly, they have lost four of their seven away games this season. Those stats will mean nothing however if we are not at our best on Friday night. Now that we are scoring more goals than behinds, let’s show the Lions we’re after that number three position.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 16 – Melbourne v GWS

Liam Chambers

It was a cold wet Sunday afternoon at Traeger Park in Alice Springs; unseasonably so according to the experts (and 4 degrees on the ground according to Gus and Gawny – ed). Our annual visits to the Northern Territory have been cut back to one game in recent years but the crowd that gathered in the chilly conditions for the contest were enthusiastic.

Melbourne were dominant in the opening ten minutes of the term but were unable to take advantage of their momentum. The sherrin was like a bar of soap, slipping from the players’ hands as they tried to mark and control the ball.

Again the Demons had no problems hitting to the left and right of the tall posts; it was the bit in the middle that proved to be the sticking point. Then our top goal scorer, Bailey Fritsch limped off the field to be replaced by Jake Melksham. Unfortunately, it looks like Fritsch will be out for the remainder of the regular season with the injury to his foot.

GWS had spent much of the quarter defending but when they got inside their forward 50, they looked dangerous. Callum Brown got the first goal of the match when he collected the ball from a stoppage and ran towards the square before turning and snapping.

The Dees continued to win the contested ball in the middle of the ground and at the back but were unable to make it count once they went inside 50.

The Giants’ defence was stopping everything Melbourne could throw at it.

Finally a piece of induvial creativity from Kysaiah Pickett saw him gather the tapped down ball, run on, drop it, then recover before kicking to Jake Melksham, who was 35m from goal.

Melksham converted perfectly to give Melbourne the lead.

The Dees had the chance to go a couple of goals up before the break but were unable to take full advantage and went to the break leading by only five points.

Melbourne had led inside 50s by 21-8 in the first term, as well as spending two thirds of the time in their forward half. The most worrying stat for the Demons though was their solitary goal for all that effort.

Q2 – slippin’ and a slidin’

It got worse at the start of the second quarter when Toby Greene was gifted a 50m penalty and casually chipped the ball in from 15m.

After the bounce, Melbourne upped the ante by piling on the pressure. It paid off quickly when Jake Bowey scooped up the ground and snapped from 35m to give his side a one goal lead.

The Dees were winning clearances by a wide margin and dominating contested position but were unable to make it count on the score board. The wet conditions were definitely not helping but we desperately needed to fix the lack of goals and quickly.

Up the other end the Giants launched the ball straight to the pack in front of goal. As soon as it was fisted away, Toby Greene was waiting to pounce, and he snapped it through for his second.

The half ended with the tied at twenty one points apiece.

Q3 – slip sliding away

The rain started to clear up after the break, but the goals didn’t eventuate for either side. That was until Xavier O’Halloran was awarded a free kick smack bang in the middle of the goal square. It was the easiest of kicks for the midfielder to restore the Giants’ lead.

It was a case of three in a row for GWS when their run through traffic resulted in Josh Kelly finishing the manoeuvre with a swiftly snapped kick, guiding the ball high and through the centre of the uprights.

Then it was three for the quarter when Isaac Cumming’s set shot from 50m had just enough distance and height to sail over the outstretched hands of the Melbourne players on the goal line.

The weather was again starting to look grim, and with it the outlook for the Demons to take back control of the game.

Fear not however, as Brodie Grundy’s initial tapped down from a stoppage was fed back, allowing him to get boot to ball and claw one back for Melbourne.

Less than a minute later, Kozzie Pickett got the biggest cheer of the afternoon when he marked and converted from a 30m set shot.

Having trailed by three goals at the halfway mark of the term, the Dees managed to launch a fightback and narrow the margin to four points by three quarter time.

Q4 – slippery little sucker

By the start of the fourth, the rain was seriously pouring down and showing no signs of abating.

Melbourne launched themselves at the Giants, knowing that they couldn’t afford to let the opposition dictate the terms as they did for most of the previous quarter.

The pressure paid off early on with Angus Brayshaw directing a well weighted kick to Ed Langdon in the pocket. The fast running midfielder duly marked and went back to take the kick. Ed has a knack for hitting the target when he is presented with a particularly difficult shot and this occasion was no exception. The Dees were back in front.

For most of the quarter, Melbourne had the lion’s share of the play, but the rain made marking a much more frustrating task. The kicks were going astray as well. Even Toby Greene missed the lot when he had a 45m set shot opportunity to take the lead.

The momentum was swinging to GWS, but the Dees managed to get themselves into scoring positions. Unfortunately, the space between the uprights continued to be disappointingly elusive.

Then when it looked like Melbourne might just hang on for a narrow victory, Josh Kelly popped up again to bomb the ball from 60m out. As if in slow motion, it landed on the goal line and flipped over to put the Giants ahead.

Post match – snakes and ladders

Another almost win for the Demons. We’ve now lost four of our last six games. Probably most concerning though is our low scoring record in recent matches. Since Round 12, our final scores are: 8 13, 8 18, 8 15 and 5 15. In relation to the GWS game there’s another interesting stat, as pointed out by Jon, our every watchful Report Editor; we had 73 inside 50s for those five goals. We’re so competitive in most other areas but we need to somehow fix the accuracy dilemma. We know it’s going to click at some stage, but we face the Saints at home in Round 17. Though they were caught napping by West Coast last week, we know how good they are at Marvel.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 15 – Geelong v Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Even though Geelong has been underperforming as reigning Premiers, the Cattery is still a daunting venue for visiting teams. Of their seven prior home games this season, they had only lost two. The first to Collingwood and the second, by only seven points, to GWS. Melbourne would need everything to go right on the night.

The Cats got their first when Tyson Stengle kicked a 45m shot from deep in the pocket. Melbourne’s response was immediate but unfortunately Joel Smith’s 15m snap hit the post.

Geelong then had a second, via a lucky break, when Tanner Bruhn kicked from outside 50 to the goal square. There the ball bounced across the line with Michael Hibberd in hot pursuit.

Following the goal, there was an incident involving Jeremy Cameron as the victim of friendly fire; having collided with Gary Rohan. The match was delayed for ten minutes while Geelong’s leading goal scorer was assessed and then stretchered off the field, playing no further part in the game. Fortunately subsequent tests have ruled out any serious injury.

Gary Rohan was obviously devasted, but my initial thought was that the forward would now play his heart out to make up for his unintended mistake.

The Dees got the first goal after the delay, when Bailey Fritsch marked and converted from 20m to the left of goal.

Then with three minutes to go in the quarter, Rohan marked and kicked from 40m, directly in front, to increase the Cat’s advantage to fifteen points.

To add to the Demons’ dilemma, the rain started falling. However a silver lining appeared when Joel Smith created something out of nothing with his around the corner snap 25m from goal.

Both sides were racking up the minor points in the second term, but it took until the halfway mark before Geelong got the first goal. Tom Hawkins marked a Gary Rohan kick 35m out and he rarely misses those opportunities.

Melbourne was now trailing the hosts by fourteen points in a low scoring half. The small group of Dees’ supporters, amid the sea of Cats, looked on forlornly. Having braved the cold and wet conditions to travel south for the night, they needed something special to raise their spirits.

Cue Joel Smith who took a mark on his chest right next to the goal square. Despite the rain, the ball connected perfectly with Smith’s boot, and sailed through for his second of the night.

After the goals, both sides again struggled to hit the target. Then Kysaiah Pickett collected the tapped down ball from a stoppage. He let the slippery sherrin fall from his grasp before booting it through the uprights. Now it was a one point game.

After that the goals dried up again with the Dees only able to muster another two points, giving them the smallest of leads at the half time break.

The Cats got the first of the second half when Rohan continued to make amends for his earlier indiscretion. He took a mark just outside 50, then ran on and kicked from 40m out.

Geelong went on the attack to try and drive home their advantage. However, they found that the Dees were more than a match for them in defence.

Melbourne had their own chances to score but were unable to convert.

Eventually Jacob van Rooyen was able to mark; brilliantly hanging on to the wet ball 20m out from goal. His set shot was calmly taken, and the Demons’ half time lead was restored.

With no sign of the rain clearing, Melbourne was having to innovate, with Alex Neal-Bullen knocking the ball forward with his fist, slamming it inside 50, towards goal. Kozzie gave chase, gathering the bouncing ball and kicking from 25m to claim his second of the night.

The Dees had dominated the third term but only increased their lead by a single goal. On paper they were favourites to win, considering their fourth quarter performances in 2023.

However, the combination of the weather and Geelong’s home advantage, meant Melbourne could leave nothing to chance.

It was a rocky start the visitors when Ollie Henry took a contested mark, 40m in front. His conversion was on target, evening the score.

Zac Guthrie then gave Geelong the lead when his running kick from 40m sailed through.

Melbourne managed to keep the Cats on a tight rein for the next ten minutes before a spate of goals put the hosts firmly in the driver’s seat.

First, Mark Blicavs gave his side a two goal advantage with his mark taken inside 50, his set shot floating through.

Then the villain turned hero, Gary Rohan, chased down the ball as it bounced across the 50m arc, before collecting and kicking it from the edge of the square.

Finally, Mitch Duncan was able to chip from 50m and watch the ball bounce through the unguarded goal.

Trailing by four goals with only ten minutes on the clock, it was a desperate Melbourne who now had to throw caution and everything else to the wind.

When Tanner Bruhn snapped his second from the top of the goal square, he handed the Demons the virtually impossible task of kicking five goals in the last seven minutes.

Christian Petracca snatched one back with his pitch perfect snap from deep in the pocket.

Tracs was also involved in Melbourne’s final goal when his kick to deep inside 50 was marked by Bailey Fritsch on the edge of the square.

It was too late for the Dees however as Geelong hung on to claim victory.

The Giants are next on the agenda, and we’ll be taking no chances against a side who’ve shown flashes of brilliance this year. Alice Springs is a good ground for us though, and everyone will be hoping for a repeat of Kozzie’s double hat trick from last year.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!