Round 23 – Gold Coast Suns V Melbourne

Melbourne’s Walking On The Sun

Liam Chambers

The heat is on

With no chance of qualifying for finals, the Demons could concentrate on playing their best footy, and enjoy themselves in the process.

The Suns have forged a formidable home ground reputation this season so it would no mean feat for Melbourne to prevail on the Coast. They would also have to compete against the heat and humidity, whereas their hosts have had ample time to adapt to the conditions.

It took nearly ten minutes for the first goal, and the honours went to the home side when Nick Holman was awarded a free kick before slotting his 45m set shot. After the goal, the Suns continued to dictate play by dominating contested possessions and repeat entries inside 50. It was unsurprising then that they kicked the second some five minutes later when Sam Flanders received the hand pass near the top of the square and casually tapped through for the goal.

The chances for the Dees were far and few between, and when we did get a sniff of a major, the wind carried the sherrin off course.

With under five minutes left in the opening term, it looked like another goalless quarter was looming for the Demons. Then, Daniel “Disco” Turner got on the end of a Jack Billings kick, after first disposing of his opponent and then beating his pursuers to the square, before getting his right boot to the ball, seeing it across the line.

The scores were level a minute later when Jacob van Rooyen took a handpass from Kysaiah Pickett and snapped from the top of the square. Another minute and Turner kicked his second after crumbing the ball from a stoppage and snapping the 20m shot.

When it looked like Melbourne would take the lead into the break, a turnover proved costly as the Suns made the most of the opportunity and got the ball to Alex Davies, who then converted the 40m shot after the siren.

Dees just get the upper hand in a ping pong quarter

Despite the hiccup at the end of Q1, the Demons continued to build on their momentum after the break when Harrison Petty took a contested mark in front of goal before going back to make sure with the set shot. Unfortunately after the bounce, Tom Sparrow was involved in an incident which saw him limp off the ground before being eventually subbed off.

Then the Suns retook the lead when Jarrod Witts was awarded a free kick in front of goal and kicked the set shot. Jack Viney flipped it back when he marked 40m from home, then nailed the set shot. Ed Langdon extended it to eleven points when he snapped from 30m.

However, Sam Flanders arrested the Dees momentum, launching from 30m, after the Gold Coast took control of the ball post the centre bounce. Then Lachie Weller gave the lead back to the Suns when he kicked from just inside the 50m arc.

Bailey Fritsch finally got his only goal when a beautifully weighted centering kick from Jake Melksham found the target and the Magnet ran on to see the ball across the line.

Jarrod Witts kicked his second after winning the ball in the ruck, selling some candy and hitting the target from 15m.

Harrison Petty bookended the quarter with his second goal by drilling the ball from 50m.

All coming together for Melbourne

It was the prefect start to the second half for Melbourne when Jacob van Rooyen was awarded a free kick in front of goal after wrapping up Charlie Ballard, who was penalised for holding the ball. It was all going according to plan when Koltyn Tholstrup (now sporting Ben Brown’s old headband) took an uncontested mark 25m in front of goal. His set shot slipped through nicely.

After the bounce, it was straight back inside 50 when Alex Neal-Bullen sent long shot for Harrison Petty to mark. He may have had a mixed season, set shot wise, but his 45m kick bent perfectly and it was a four goal lead for the Dees.

All good things come to an end eventually, and the Demon’s run of three unanswered goals was checked when Ben King took a mark and converted the set shot.

Demons get the job done

A seventeen point lead is not to be sniffed at, but the Dees would have been acutely aware that their fourth quarter performances this season have not been up to the usual standard; so there could be no letup in pressure from the visitors.

In case you were wondering where Kysaiah Pickett was for most of the first three quarters, then he definitely made his presence felt in the opening minute of the fourth. His initial crumbing of the ball from a clearance, his zig zag through the opposition, a hand pass to Viney, who passed it back and finally the perfect centering chip to Melksham, was an exercise in footy brilliance. Jake Melksham is continually showing how experience can instill confidence in his team mates and the set shot was perfect.

The good news is that Jack Viney has renewed his contract for another year and the even better news is that he is playing some of the best football of his career. First he plucked the sherrin out of the air, one handed, when it looked like it was sailing out of bounds. The he kicked an around the corner set shot that bent perfectly to notch up his second goal.

It was all but over when Jake Melksham was taken high and went back to kick the 40m set shot. Judd McVee had a chance to score his first AFL goal earlier in the quarter but couldn’t connect. His second opportunity was a little more difficult but he nailed the 50m set shot. There was much rejoicing. Koltyn Tholstrup was denied his second by the review; a mischarge of justice in my view but with a lead of forty three points to the Demons, nobody was too upset. He was robbed though.

Ben King was having one of his famous off days, but he was able to slot his second with five minutes to go.

Turner continued to paint the picture of a near perfect performance when he marked and converted to claim his hat trick. Straight after the centre bounce, the Dees were back inside 50 where van Rooyen marked in the pocket, then lined up to score his own hat trick. Another centre bounce and a massive Alex Neal-Bullen kick landed the ball in the lap of the high scoring Turner. Again he lined up to make his fourth goal of the afternoon look easy.

After the week long glare of the media, as well as the speculation about several of our players, the Dees performance on the day was a perfect retort to the detractors.

Only one game left now and with no chance of playing finals, the pressure is well and truly off. We can use this victory as a confidence boost and, more importantly, to make short work of the Pies.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 22 – Melbourne V Port Adelaide

Liam Chambers

Melbourne back to their best

The last time we played Port was Round 3 at the Adelaide Oval. The Power had two wins under their belt and home advantage, but we managed to prevail on that occasion. Now our rivals were eyeing off a top two position, and we were fighting to salvage our footy season.

From the opening siren, both sides were feeling the pressure, but for different reasons. It appeared that the accuracy suffered as a result. Shots were off target at both ends, though Melbourne was playing a better structured team game than in some of their more recent outings.

It took to the halfway mark for the first goal to be scored and thankfully it was Bailey Fritsch who claimed the honours when he drilled the ball from 45m. After the goal, the Dees upped the pressure and scored again within two minutes when Ed Langdon snapped from 30m to stretch the advantage to eleven points. Alex Neal Bullen almost made it three in a row but was denied by the post.

Melbourne was playing some of their best football in a long time and dominating Port Adelaide, but the visitors eventually scored their first goal when Jason Horne-Francis got behind our defence and marked 10m in front.

Then Port drew level with the Dees when Darcy Byrne-Jones dribbled the ball in from 30m and watched it cross the line.

The Dees keep up the pressure

After an impressive first term, Melbourne seem to relax early in the second and allow the Power to take back some of the momentum. Jason Horne-Francis was able to mark in the pocket and kick an around the corner set shot, giving his side an eight point lead.

One Demon who never relaxes is Jack Viney, and his determination to win the ball set up Melbourne’s next goal, after he twisted and turned through Port’s players, before getting the ball to Jacob van Rooyen. The key forward immediately kicked the sherrin towards goal where Kysaiah Pickett’s pressure was rewarded with a free kick from the boundary line. The resultant goal took the Dees to within three points of their rivals.

Kozzie made it a three point lead when he marked on the edge of the square, then converted the set shot.

A quarter of swings and roundabouts

After the main break, it was more of the same from the Demons, with Kozzie securing his third in a low scoring game. His inside 50 mark, after Melbourne had transitioned from half back, was well taken, as was his 45m set shot.

The Dees were doing practically everything right but when there was a slip up, Port pounced immediately to take full advantage. One such lack of concentration gave Charlie Dixon the opportunity to take a contested mark 30m from goal. It was back to three points.

Despite Port Adelaide’s intense pressure, Melbourne was able to hold off the onslaught, thanks in no small part to Max Gawn’s brilliant defence work.

Then up the other end we found a way through the Power’s back line, where Alex Neal-Bullen was able to take the mark. His 40m set shot was on target and we were back in business.

With five minutes to go in the term, Zac Butters got away from the pack and sprinted towards inside 50, before launching from 48m and bouncing the ball onto the goal line to again reduce the margin to three points.

Agonisingly close but the Dees bow out of contention

With only three points still separating the teams at the start of the final quarter, a goal would be a significant psychological boost for the side that scored first. Unfortunately Charlie Dixon chose the opening minute to take a contested mark directly in front and then went back to slot the 20m set shot.

With so much at stake, the back line at both ends was working overtime to prevent another goal. Understandably, passions were running high and mistakes were made but still the margin was a wafer thin three points in Port’s favour.

Then the lead flipped again when Kozzie kicked his fourth of the night after he chased down the ball inside 50 and hammered it into the stands. Melbourne had a couple of opportunities to push the margin out to a three goals but were unable to make them count.

When Quintin Narkle took a contested mark in the pocket, he evened the score with his 20m set shot. With only five minutes to go, a point or two from either side would be enough to win the game.

Sadly, the Dees were continually denied access to their forward 50 by Port and a couple of minor scores for the visitors was all that was needed to land the game and the four points.

It appears our season is officially over. There are only two games left, and we would have to win each game by fifty plus points and the four teams vying for the seventh and eight spots would have to completely implode. A win in each of our last games would still be good though; especially against the Pies.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Western Bulldogs V Melbourne – Demons Down in the Dumps

Liam Chambers

Dogs get early jump on the Dees

It’s no secret that we’ve struggled with form over the back half of the season and this round we were again up against a side that is hitting its stride at the right time. We have a talented team with some great young players, but the footy year is almost over and, possibly with it, our finals aspirations. But having said that, never say never until it’s mathematically impossible.

Cody Weightman had a few chances to kick the first goal, but then ended up supplying the ball for Aaron Naughton to provide the opener. Weightman did get one for himself when he marked in the pocket and banana kicked the set shot. It didn’t get any better when Bailey Williams marked just inside the arc and converted to give the Dogs a twenty two point lead.

With Melbourne under intense pressure, the margin could have been greater, with the Bulldogs hitting the post on two occasions. The Dees had few chances and unfortunately we were unable to take advantage when they were presented.

It took almost twenty minutes, but Melbourne finally got on the scoreboard when Bailey Fritsch marked 30m out and made sure of the set shot. After the goal the Dees had more inside 50 incursions, but the Bulldogs kept the pressure up and denied them more scoring opportunities.

Up the other end, Marcus Bontempelli was able to launch from 40m and just clear the goal line.

Melbourne back in the game

It was a disappointing first quarter for the Demons and they needed an early goal to settle things.

When the chips are down though, skipper Max Gawn steps up and takes the initiative. His contested mark was perfect, and the set shot cleanly taken. It was a brief respite however, as Adam Treloar restored the quarter time advantage with his 30m snap in front of goal.

Kysaiah Pickett is sometimes inconsistent in his brilliance, but his set shot from the pocket was pure poetry and it was back to eighteen points. Unfortunately another brilliantly inconsistent player, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan took a contested mark and kicked the 30m set shot.

The second term was looking like a much more even contest when Tom Sparrow kicked his around the corner set shot from the pocket to make it three goals each for the quarter. Then a 45m running kick from Bailey Fritsch found the target and clawed the Dees deficit back to sixteen points.

Dees suffer some outrageous fortune

With Melbourne only trailing by three goals at the start of the second half, fans would have been confident of staying in touch with the dominant Dogs. In fact Bailey Fritsch had an early chance to reduce the margin further but the kick just failed to make the distance.

Then thirty seconds later Cody Weightman had his second goal off a running inside 50 kick. Adam Treloar also had his second when he kicked an around corner set shot from the pocket a minute later and the Bulldogs were thirty points ahead. Another minute and Jamarra Ugle Hagan too had his second goal from point blank range, courtesy of an inside 50 infringement.

By now the match was in grave danger of slipping from Melbourne’s grasp and with it our finals hopes. Then Tom Sparrow kicked his second to claim a desperately needed goal for the Demons.

Continuing the theme of the third quarter, Marcus Bontempelli marked on the edge of the square and kicked his second of the night with an around the corner set shot. When all the luck goes to one side, it seems unfair but Caleb Poulter’s kick from outside the 50m arc bounced perfectly for the midfielder and the advantage was out to forty one points for the hosts.

After taking a battering all term, Trent Rivers goal from a mark and play on was a welcome reprieve. Then when Jacob van Rooyen successfully executed his set shot from the pocket, fans began to wonder if a comeback was indeed possible.

But we were left to wonder no longer when a decision by the review board deemed the ball had skimmed the upright on the way through. It was a cruel blow but pretty much par for the course on a night of cruel blows.

Is Melbourne’s fate sealed?

The Dees started the final term thirty eight points down; not a margin to gladden the hearts of the faithful. It would take a monumental effort to overcome such a deficit and seemed highly improbable against a team who had played so well all night. Damage limitation was a priority and everything after that would be a bonus.

The quarter was only one minute old when Ed Richards kicked a goal from 20m in front; it now appeared that even damage limitation wasn’t an option.

Earlier, the Dogs kicked a goal when they were gifted an extremely lucky bounce but when Jack Viney’s kick landed the ball right in the middle of the square it somehow managed to avoid the goal line totally. Where’s the luck? Up the other end Aaron Naughton marked at the top of the goal square and kicked his second.

Taj Woewodin may have only scored two goals in his Melbourne AFL career but his third was perfect and left a nice gap between sherrin and post. Kysaiah Pickett has scored a few more than three but his latest was again first class. After an end to end transition by Melbourne, Kozzie was the last link in the chain when he launched from just outside 50 to bounce it over the line.

With less than ten minutes to play and thirty seven points down, the game was now out of reach for the Demons but Sam Darcy’s mark in the pocket and subsequent successful set shot on goal was still painful. Tim English’s late goal only served rub salt into the wounds but thankfully that was the last for the Bulldogs.

A victory would have kept Melbourne in contention, but now the final three games are a must win and we must also hope that other results go in our favour.

On top of that, it looks like Steven May is out for at least one match, which is not great for him or the Dees. Despite the odds though, again never say never.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 20 – Melbourne V GWS

Demons Last Minute Dash Just Fails To Topple Giants

Liam Chambers

Dees out of the blocks at a frenetic pace

With their Captain back in the team and only five games remaining, Melbourne had to throw everything at GWS in order to stay in touch with the top eight.

The Demons had the first goal after Kade Chandler kept the ball in play as it threatened to cross the boundary line, then he ran around the defence and snapped off his left boot.

The Giants responded five minutes later when Tom Greene was able to launch from 40m to send it straight through the middle.

Harrison Petty’s record from set shots this season hasn’t been the best but when he ran out to meet Jack Viney’s kick, his conversion was spot on. The next goal was similar to the previous effort, except it was Bailey Fritsch running out to meet Ed Langdon’s effort. The result was the same and Melbourne was fourteen points ahead.

Ed Langdon got a goal himself after Jacob van Rooyen handpassed into the goal square as the midfielder/wingman called for the ball. With less than two minutes remaining in the quarter, Jake Melksham took a clever contested mark in the pocket, then kicked an around the corner set shot to extend the lead to twenty seven points.

GWS lift their game and close the gap

In what seems like a rite of passage, ex Demon Toby Bedford took an uncontested mark inside 50, then went back to kick the 50m set shot. Sometimes it feels like former Melbourne players just can’t miss in those situations.

With GWS pushing hard, the Dees needed to weather the storm and somehow prevent the visitors from gaining too much momentum. Unfortunately they conceded a second goal when Brent Daniels collected the chaos ground ball, then turned and snapped from 30m in front.

Bailey Fritsch stole one back when he found himself alone in Melbourne’s forward 50, then took the mark and kicked the set shot.

Even though the name Toby hasn’t even made the top 1000 in recent years, the Giants have three of them. I’m not sure if McMullin is Toby 2 or 3 (obviously Greene is 1; though technically 4) but the young forward made sure of his 40m set shot after taking the uncontested mark.

Coincidently, the next goal was another Toby effort, this time from Greene himself. He collected the ball as it was tapped away from the pack, then ran goalward and scored.

With three minutes left in the half another former Dee took an inside 50 mark. Jesse Hogan then went back to kick his 50th goal of the season and take GWS to within two points of Melbourne.

Melbourne weather the storm but lag at the final break

Max Gawn is the inspiration behind many Demon victories and when he received the hand pass from Jake Melksham, the big fella launched from 20m to stretch the advantage out to ten points. That goal steadied the good ship Melbourne, but the orange tsunami kept threatening.

We held on and even had chances to increase our lead but eventually the dam broke when Toby Greene was able to draw a free kick and smashed an around the corner set shot to reduce the margin back to three points. Callan Ward gave the Giants the lead for the first time in the game when he marked, then kicked the 40m set shot.

Not for long though, as Jack Viney was able to pick up the ground ball and snap from 30m to restore Melbourne’s lead.

Then, in another twist, Jesse Hogan (using Gawn’s back for leverage) took the mark and kicked from just inside to notch up his second.

Dees just pipped at the post

Jesse Hogan started the fourth as he finished the third, by taking a contested mark inside 50. It was an easy conversion and just what we didn’t want. As if that wasn’t enough, GWS won the hitout and was immediately back inside 50, where Brent Daniels was able to collect the bouncing ball, then run around and snap his second to give the Giants a fifteen point lead.

Then Jesse Hogan twisted the knife, as he took yet another contested mark and again slotted the set shot. By now the temptation was to abandon all hope and head for the exits but it wasn’t over yet. Toby Greene collected his hat trick, after an admittedly brilliant smoother on a kick just inside 50. He then ran on to the square before getting on the end of a hand pass and tapping it through the uprights.

GWS almost an another but Melbourne was finally able to stop the rot and make some progress towards salvaging the game. They finally got some rewards when JVR marked the ball in the ruck, then launch from 20m to give the faithful hope. The renaissance was almost over before it began when Toby Greene tried to snare another. Fortunately Jake Bowey went above and beyond to get a touch on the sherrin before it crossed the goal line.

There was a couple of more chances for the Dees to further reduce the margin, but it was not to be.

Then Kade Chandler got his second when he kicked at speed just inside the arc and watched the ball sail through, reducing the gap back to fourteen points. With just minutes left, Kysaiah Pickett finally got on the scoreboard when he marked and converted from 45m out.

As the clock ticked down to the final minute, Alex Neal Bullen was able to collect the ground ball and snap it high and through the post to bring the Dees within two points of GWS.

Similar to the late dash against Carlton in Round 9, there was to be no fairytale finish for the Demons on this occasion either.

There are four games left in the season and the next two are against teams you are hitting their stride at the right time. Then there’s the Suns, who are rarely beaten at home and finally the reigning premiers Collingwood, and we write them off at our peril. With such a tight top twelve, we’re still in with a chance, but if we lose more than one of those games then a finals berth may be out of our hands.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!