Melbourne took their first win over Hawthorn since 2006 on Saturday at the MCG, kicking the last five goals of the game to win by 29 points and put an end the Hawks’ nine-game winning streak.
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In a mighty performance at the MCG, the Melbourne Demons broke a ten-year in one of the most entertaining games of the year.
The win well and truly rubber-stamps the revival of Melbourne under Paul Roos, and will surely be built on in coming years as the club looks towards its next premiership.
On a day where many of their superstars failed to perform, Cyril Rioli nearly single-handedly dragged Hawthorn over the line, putting in a sparkling performance that included four goals, 12 tackles, and plenty of headaches for anyone within arm’s reach of the champion Hawk.
Poor kicking haunted the reigning premiers all day, exemplified by usual dead-eye Jack Gunston’s final score tally of 2.4. Usual contributors Luke Bruest and James Sicily also had their quietest games of the season, failing to register a single goal between them.
It was clear that the Demons were on from the moment the ball was first bounced, beating Hawthorn at their own game early with precision ball use doing the damage.
Jack Watts was the difference in the first half with three goals, while first-game forward Sam Weideman had a dream debut, kicking two majors.
More impressive was the fact that the Demons kept the scoreboard ticking over without superstar forward Jesse Hogan, who was a late withdrawal.
In the final term the game was excruciatingly tight, and with nine minutes remaining, the Hawks still led.
However, the game was full of lead changes and momentum swings – and it was the Demons who came home like a steam train.
Given the quality of their opposition, it was almost impossible to call the final result – but as time continued to drain, a couple of Dom Tyson goals sealed the famous victory.
Isaac Smith and Jordan Lewis were amongst the Hawks better players, but sadly for Hawks fans, there were not enough of those.
The win was engineered in the middle by the gargantuan combination of Max Gawn and Jack Viney, who are fast becoming one of the deadliest one-two punches in the game.
Viney finished with 39 touches and eight tackles, while Gawn’s 41 hitouts and contested marking ability proved to be the difference.
Melbourne will be delighted at the games of players such as Clayton Oliver and Oscar McDonald, who despite their inexperience were never intimidated and played key roles in the win.
The result could have major ramifications for the Hawks, who are now just one game clear on top of the ladder.
By dropping another game they risk losing a home final, and will certainly be bringing their best to the remaining three rounds, starting with rivals North Melbourne next weekend.
This could’ve been a necessary wake-up call for the Hawks, and could serve to strengthen their resolve as they look to a record-equalling fourpeat.
It was a great day for the Melbourne Football Club, who will next travel to Adelaide to take on the Power.
In their final few weeks under Roos, expect them to inject valuable experience into their talented young players, as they will be the ones who form the basis of this clubs journey back up the AFL ranks in years to come.
Final score
Melbourne Demons 17.8.110
Hawthorn Hawks 11.15.81
The Roar’s AFL MVP Votes
3 – Cyril Rioli
2 – Jack Viney
1 – Max Gawn
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Melb and St K can play some exciting footy at times. Bit like WB. Good win.
Lroy
Guest
Dude, the Eagles are a 4-5 goal better side when plays... he can do things other mere mortals cant...rove his own tap from the centre and boot a goal all in one fluid motion... when he is on song he is wonderful to watch. As for Redden and Jetta, yes, I feel for the pair of them, sure things havent gone the way... but at times they have both produced some nice stuff.. but they seem to be playing in unfamiliar roles. Jetta one day running with the flight of the ball on the boundary line...he will have to turn onto his left foot... picks it up one handed in his right hand.., pirouettes a complete 360 and ends up on his natural right foot...... opponents run past him... he lays of a sublime 50 metre pass to centre half forward.. no one with in cooee of the guy... guy drops a chest mark.. turnover... I mean, it was soul destroying for anybody. ...thats how his season has gone. And Redden, in and out of the side like a yo yo.. he has had some nice moments as well, would have been good to see him get some game time for sure.
Paul D
Roar Guru
First win over the Hawks since 2006, It's great when these big milestones get knocked down between the Melbourne clubs. Is a great reward for the faithful there to see it.
BigAl
Guest
I remember Ron Barassi saying that Melbourne were never a big money club, against all perceptions, which translates to the reality that they never had wealthy benefactors willing to throw money at them . . .sitting in the Long Room drinking sherry !
BigAl
Guest
How were the Hawks travelling this time last year ? - and the year before that ??
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Hear Hear....Simpson is the runt of the Clarkson litter from Hawthorn. The guy hasn't got a clue. He should have given both Jetta and Redden a run today against Freo. The sooner we see the back of Simpson the better the off will be WCE. Having said that....maybe our rants about Simpson are premature! Let's see what happens with Nic Nat back in the side. I have a feeling the effect will be significant.
Lroy
Guest
Actually I just realized, the Eagles havent beaten ANYONE in the top 4, their only top 8 victim was North, who have lost 9 of their last 10 or something. The CEO of the Eagles should get on a plane and have a coffee with Roosy, its clear Simpson is out of his depth as a head coach, the Eagles have the players to win a flag but baffling selections, playing guys out of position, a game plan that no longer works.. well we are no better now that the day Simpson arrived. Having said that they made 4 million profit last year (actually it was 8mil, but they have pay 50% back to the WAFL) and could afford to pay Roos 2 million per year... I know he wants to go to the USA and all that, but 2 million per year for 5 years???
Lroy
Guest
oh the irony, the Dees have rolled more top 4 sides than the Eagles ha ha
Penster
Guest
Melbourne organised in attack picked holes in Hawk's scrappy backline and their movement out of the middle was slick. By contrast, Hawks defence was disorganised and missed Frawley. Gawn and Jones, just sensational. Hope the grand old club becomes grand again, Paul Roos take a bow, bet they ran out of sherry in the Long Room after knocking of the ladder leaders.
JR Salazar
Guest
Dishonest performance from Hawthorn. Melbourne proving that their win over GWS (who also smashed Hawthorn) was not a fluke.
Swannies
Guest
Hawks will flog North next week but don't read much into that...North will be the first team eliminated in September.
AB
Guest
Hawks now need to win all their remaining games, or risk missing the top 4. That won't be easy.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Demons were great today. On the flip side Hawthorn are really struggling right now and just seem to be trying to coast to the finals. Hopefully Clarko kicks their behind in training this week.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
The aside is Max Gawn- I really hope he wins the Brownlow medal
Ryan Buckland
Expert
What an exclaimation mark on the Roos era at Melbourne. Simon Goodwin must be licking his lips.