An inspired Max Gawn-less Demons have produced a resounding 17-point win over Essendon, 13.6 (84) to 10.7 (67), to climb into sixth place on the ladder.
Melbourne played Saturday night’s wet conditions at the MCG better than the Bombers, with Simon Goodwin’s side leading by as much much as 41 points during a fourth-quarter blitz before Essendon fought back at the death.
But Brad Scott’s side left its run until too late as the Demons held on for a big win with key ramifications on the top eight — with Essendon now sitting just half a game ahead of Melbourne.
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There would have been nerves on the Demons’ bench when Sam Draper went to quarter-time with nine disposals and three clearances to his name, but Simon Goodwin’s bold decision to replace Gawn with Harrison Petty was vindicated as his side thrashed the Bombers 44-32 at stoppages.
Petty and Jacob van Rooyen, who took the lion’s share of the ruckwork after the first break, neutralised Draper and cleared out of a small and nimble Demons forward line which thrived in the wet weather at the MCG.
He was hardly sighted in the first term but Clayton Oliver roared to life in the second with a 10-disposal quarter that helped wrench the momentum Melbourne’s way.
Essendon had no answer for the hardness of Oliver and Trent Rivers, and Zach Merrett struggled to win the ball on the inside and spent large periods at half-forward after receiving early attention from Alex Neal-Bullen.
The Bombers trailed by 41 points midway through the final term, and a four-goal onslaught led by Nic Martin came too late.
They could have sat in outright second place at the end of the round. Instead, the Bombers have been dragged back to the peloton.
The 3-2-1 …
3. NO MAX, NO WORRIES
Simon Goodwin’s side overcame its controversial move not to replace injured skipper Max Gawn with a recognised ruckman on a wet night at the MCG with ample stoppages.
Many were left perplexed after the Dees didn’t bring in recruit Tom Fullarton given he was essentially brought in as cover for Gawn following the departures of Brodie Grundy and Luke Jackson.
And not many otherwise gave Melbourne much hope on Saturday night without its superstar skipper.
But with Jacob van Rooyen and Harrison Petty shouldering the ruck load, the Dees on Saturday night won clearances (+12) and dominated territory despite the absence of Gawn to continue their finals charge.
It came after a worrying first quarter after Sam Draper dominated Petty, racking up nine disposals, 10 hit-outs, three clearances. However Hawks champion Jason Dunstall noted it was “alarming” Essendon hadn’t got much reward for that dominance with just a one-point lead.
Dunstall said Petty was “pretty much non-competitive” in the first quarter before van Rooyen had a “stronger presence” in the second term to help turn the side for the Dees.
Van Rooyen was Goodwin’s main ruck option for the remainder of the night as the Dees on-ballers, led by Trent Rivers (29 disposals), Ed Langdon (31 possessions) and Clayton Oliver (25 touches), functioned effectively to get on top of Essendon through the midfield.
Kangaroos legend David King believes the Bombers didn’t get enough of an advantage from the ruck mismatch in a decisive factor on the night.
“It’s an asset (Essendon) isn’t capitalising on,” King said on Fox Footy.
“It bought Essendon back into the pack … it made them defensively diligent.”
In a battle with their old friend, the Gawn-less Dees face a bigger ruck challenge next week against Fremantle’s Jackson-Sean Darcy duo and the rest of the Dockers’ star-studded midfield.
3. ‘HARDER AND TOUGHER’ DEES FLOURISH IN WET CONDITIONS
These Dees sure were inspired on Saturday night, playing the wet conditions at the MCG with great aplomb.
Jake Melksham even admitted on Fox Footy post-match that club head of development Mark Williams “pulls out the soaky balls” at training to ensure the team is ready for such a climate.
Melbourne was consistently first to the ball to win contested possessions (+7) and clearances (+12) to control territory most of the night and get more pure looks in its forward half.
Simon Goodwin’s side’s strategy was simple but effective – take ground and territory and back your teammates in at contests – whereas the Bombers at times tried to be too methodical and precise.
“Melbourne really took control in that second quarter, they were +10 in contested ball,” Saints legend Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy at half-time.
“They’re getting down and dirty and are first to the footy.
“We’ve seen a few instances from some Essendon players where they were maybe just a bit hesitant, Melbourne going a bit lower and harder.
“It’s given them the ascendancy on the quarter … Melbourne look harder and tougher.”
It came in a game Melbourne’s next wave of players really stepped up including a starring role from Trent Rivers (29 touches, 13 contested), while the likes of Judd McVee (23 disposals), Caleb Windsor (18 possessions, one goal) and Koltyn Tholstrup (14 disposals, seven tackles) continued to show promising signs.
The Demons’ forward half meanwhile looked as good as it has for some time, with Daniel Turner and Bayley Fritsch kicking three goals apiece and Kysaiah Pickett (15 touches, two goals) at his damaging best.
“Say what you like about Melbourne’s season and their game plan. One thing they don’t do is shirk an issue with the toughness stakes, they’ve always fronted up,” dual premiership Kangaroo legend David King told Fox Footy.
“They may not be good enough on every occasion, but you know what you’re going to get.”
1. KEY TOP EIGHT RAMIFICATIONS
In one of the most open premiership races we’ve seen in some time and barely anything separating a logjam of teams from second through to 12th, Saturday night’s result had key ramifications.
On one hand, Essendon, who seemed to have a strong hold on its top four spot, is suddenly at risk of dropping out of the top eight.
The fifth-placed Bombers, who have the worst percentage (98.8) of the top 11 sides, could sit as low as seventh on the ladder by the end of the round if Port Adelaide and Brisbane defeat Gold Coast and West Coast respectively.
It comes ahead of clashes against Adelaide (Marvel Stadium), St Kilda (Marvel Stadium), Fremantle (MCG), Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium), Sydney (Marvel Stadium) and Brisbane (Gabba) on the run home for Brad Scott’s 10-1-6 side.
Based off that, the Bombers would want to take care of business in the upcoming weeks, likely needing to win a minimum of three more games.
Meanwhile Melbourne is now just half a game behind the Bombers in sixth place in an impressive turnaround despite being written off to play finals amid the absences of star duo Max Gawn and Christian Petracca.
The 10-7 Demons head to Optus Stadium to face Fremantle next week before clashes with GWS (MCG), Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium), Port Adelaide (MCG), Gold Coast (People First Stadium) and Collingwood (MCG) to finish their home and away campaign.
AS IT HAPPENED
There were no late changes for either side, with Taj Woewodin (Melbourne) and Nick Hind (Essendon) named the starting subs.
Bayley Fritsch got the Demons off to the ideal start, booting the opening goal to continue his resurgence after a quiet stretch.
Essendon responded through Kyle Langford though and it was game on at the ‘G. Sam Durham followed it up with a long-range goal to give the Bombers a four-point lead.
The Bombers controlled the play for the majority of the term, with Demons legend David Schwartz on AFL Nation declaring his former club’s defence was “absolutely abhorrent.”
The Dees got two important goals before quarter-time, with Daniel Turner launching a long-range bomb and Kysaiah Pickett capitalising on a Fritsch chase-down tackle.
Essendon took a one-point lead into quarter-time, 3.3 (21) to 3.2 (20).
Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall noted on Fox Footy Bombers coach Brad Scott would be “alarmed” his side hasn’t gotten more reward despite Sam Draper’s first-quarter dominance (nine disposals, 10 hit-outs, three clearances) against the Gawn-less Melbourne ruck setup.
Rain poured down at the MCG in the second term as the game was played in torrential conditions.
Prioritising territory and simply getting the ball forward, Melbourne kicked the first two goals in the second term to take a 14-point lead.
Essendon got a timely goal through Nic Martin from a classy snap around his body to build some confidence into Brad Scott’s side.
But Jake Melksham swiftly responded at the other end to get the Dees back out to a 14-point advantage.
Jack Viney appeared worse for wear in the second term as he was checked in on by a medico, though it wasn’t clear what the issue was.
Melbourne led 6.6 (42) to 4.5 (29) at half-time.
The Dons looked more threatening early in the second half but couldn’t make it count in forward 50.
The Dees meanwhile opened Essendon up the other way with swift ball movement as Pickett found Melksham deep in forward 50 for an easy goal to Ed Langdon.
Harrison Jones kicked a much-needed goal for the Bombers — their first since midway through the second term — reduce the margin back to 12 points.
But like they had all game, the Demons responded, with Turner getting out the back and kicking another to regain an 18-point buffer.
Peter Wright was subbed off in the third term (tactical) after having limited influence in the wet conditions.
Melbourne led 8.6 (54) to 5.7 (37) at the final change.
Martin got the Bombers off to the perfect start in the fourth quarter, drawing a free kick and kicking truly to make it an 11-point game.
But Melksham instantly responded during a contest that Mason Redman went flying into the fence shoulder first in a brutal moment.
Andy Moniz-Wakefield was subbed off (tactical) in the fourth term for Taj Woewodin.
The Dees kicked away in the fourth term including Turner and Fritsch both bringing up their thirds goals including back-to-back majors to the latter.
And seemingly within the blink of an eye it’d turned from an arm wrestle into a 41-point advantage.
“This is an emphatic performance from the Demons,” club great Nathan Jones said on Channel 7.
Just when it seemed all but over, the Bombers charged home — kicking four-straight goals — two to Martin — to bring it back to a 17-point game.
Brad Scott’s side kept pushing in the dying minutes too as the game was played in its forward half, but time was its biggest enemy.
That proved to be the case as the Demons didn’t let up in a big win.
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