Melbourne will host Geelong in a home elimination final after steamrolling GWS by 45 points at the MCG to secure fifth spot on the AFL ladder.
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Final score
Melbourne Demons 15.12.102
GWS Giants 8.9.57
The Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Round 23 AFL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
With both teams now destined to finish somewhere between fifth to eighth on the ladder, this game shapes as a match to decide the final positions in the lower half of the eight.
Both are assured of finals action and the celebrations undertaken by the Demons’ fans last week show just how important that achievement is for one of the traditional Melbourne clubs.
The Giants have been ravaged by injury and bravely battled on despite being severely undermanned over the last month.
There are a host of players just a week or two away yet it looks like many will make their return in the first week of the finals.
The mob in orange could leap into fifth on the ladder with a dominant performance and the Demons could vault as high as fifth with a win of their own.
Strangley, the teams could meet again early in the finals and this game could be a decisive confidence boost for the victor.
With a week off for both and assured finals action, there might be something held in the reserve tank.
Conversely, with both teams looking for momentum, it could turn into a classic encounter.
Prediction
With the shackles released from the Demons after securing finals action for the first time in over a decade, they will play freely against the Giants.
It will prove challenging for a GWS team still waiting on the return of troops to strengthen its chances of a successful September.
Demons by four goals.
Catch all the action on The Roar, live coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Melbourne Demons have belted the Greater Western Sydney Giants by 45 points at the MCG to secure a home final in September. It was one way traffic for much of the contest as the Demons cut the Giants to pieces through the middle of the park. GWS were not able to slow down the speed and agility of the young Demons as they ran off the half back line and despite looking good in attack early, succumbed to the Demon's pressure. A close first quarter had the Dees in front by a point but by the early minutes of the third quarter they had asserted their dominance and skipped clear for an easy victory. GWS will now travel home for a clash with cross town rivals Sydney in two weeks time, whilst Melbourne will host the Cats in a massive Elimination Final at the MCG. Final Score Melbourne 15.12 102 GWS Giants 8.9 57
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time It is over and the Demons have put the Giants to the sword at the MCG. Thanks for being on board for the call and make sure you jump over to Karlo's coverage of the final home and away match of the season.
Melbourne: 15.12 (102) GWS: 8.9 (57)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 28' - A late behind for the Giants.
Melbourne: 15.12 (102) GWS: 8.9 (57)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
27' - The seconds winding down here as the Demons run the clock and get ready to celebrate.
Melbourne: 15.12 (102) GWS: 8.8 (56)
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Giants in the queue for a priority pick based on today's performance?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
25' - Melbourne will host a final at the 'G'. Let that soak in!
Melbourne: 15.12 (102) GWS: 8.8 (56)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 24' - Jones marks 40 out and will shoot for goal. This is becoming a rout. He misses.
Melbourne: 15.12 (102) GWS: 8.8 (56)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 23' - Melbourne turn it over again with great pressure but turn it over themselves.. The Giants have been well and truly outplayed today. Finlayson marks in attack for the Giants and will kick from 45 for a consolation goal. Great kick.
Melbourne: 15.11 (101) GWS: 8.8 (56)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 19' - His kick is terrible and a minor score results.
Melbourne: 15.11 (101) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
19' - GWS again under pressure and the Demons hit Spargo inside fifty.
Melbourne: 15.10 (100) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 18' - His kick from fifty is perfect.
Melbourne: 15.10 (100) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
17' - Brayshaw send the Demons forward, Gawn marks and Melksham marks on 45. He will have the shot.
Melbourne: 14.10 (94) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
16' - Harmes marks brilliantly in defence for the Dees.
Melbourne: 14.10 (94) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15' - Stoppage deep in the Giants attacking pocket.
Melbourne: 14.10 (94) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Behind 13' - Melbourne just looking to possess a little and happy to take some time off the clock with such a lead. Now they go forward but Kennedy-Harris hits the post.
Melbourne: 14.10 (94) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 11' - Neale-Bullen wins a free and will kick for goal from 25 out. Perfect.
Melbourne: 14.9 (93) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 9' - He converts from in front.
Melbourne: 13.9 (87) GWS: 7.8 (50)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
8' - The Giants go forward yet Frost is superb in defence again and the Demons are on the run. GWS win it back and Langdon marks 35 out right in front.
Melbourne: 13.9 (87) GWS: 6.8 (44)
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hawks have been shaky heading to finals, WCE too, Swans scraping wins, Pies barely got over Freo, Tigers out if form nearly beaten by lowly Dogs. GWS injury ravaged. On form heading in, the winner of Cats and Demons should win the premiership.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 6' - Weideman marks 40 out and converts beautifully from a 45 degree angle.
Melbourne: 13.9 (87) GWS: 6.8 (44)