Melbourne have held off a spirited challenge from Essendon to win by 11 points and go two games clear on top of the AFL ladder as they close within reach of their first minor premiership in 57 years.
Even prolific performances from star midfielders Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett weren’t enough for the young Bombers to spring an upset in front of 19,414 fans at the MCG on Saturday night.
Christian Petracca stepped up with two important goals in the third quarter in a typically explosive performance to ensure the Demons bounced back from their shock defeat to Collingwood.
Essendon were never far away and still appeared a sneaky chance late, but the Demons’ four-goal run from late in the second quarter to midway through the third proved enough as Melbourne won 9.14 (68) to 8.9 (57) and go 12-2.
With eight rounds to go, the Demons could maintain their eight-point advantage in top spot as second-placed Western Bulldogs face a mammoth challenge against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Not since their last flag year in 1964 have Melbourne finished as minor premiers.
It was a workmanlike performance from the Demons, who had lost two of their last three games before the bye, to fend off a Bombers team full of enthusiasm.
“We wanted to celebrate the position we were in; we were 11-2 and had done a lot right from where we started the season,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
“There were just some elements in our game and the way we were going about our footy that weren’t quite to the level at the break so it was a great chance to reset themselves.
“They had some really fruitful discussions around what they wanted to stand for again and that was led by (Max Gawn and Jack Viney).”
Newly re-signed Bombers star Merrett had 26 first-half possessions on his way to an equal career-high 41, while Parish (37 touches) and Jake Stringer were always dangerous.
“I was really pleased with our fight and our effort and I think we’re closing the gap,” Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.
“Our games against (top-eight side) Port, Brisbane, Richmond and now Melbourne, our guys are getting more trust in what we’re trying to do but we’re not quite there yet.”
The Demons forward line looked dysfunctional early after dropping Sam Weideman, but they found enough avenues as Petracca and James Jordon were their only multiple goal-kickers.
As well as Petracca’s brilliance, fellow Brownlow Medal contender Clayton Oliver was important around the clearances with 34 possessions.
Melbourne will be back at the MCG next Saturday to face GWS, while Essendon (6-8) head to Geelong for the first time since 1993 to tackle the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
Power
Guest
23 scoring shots to 17 was the truer reflection of the game, always in control and yes Ben Brown needs to be in for sure.
Cloak
Roar Rookie
I didn't think you could say something more ridiculous than your previous post but somehow you did. In the last 10 weeks Essendon's lost once by more than two goals (which was Dreamtime, a game where they led in the final quarter) and you're setting the bar at a 100-point win? In the last month we beat 2nd and 3rd on the ladder. But apparently now playing that way we won't win a final? NFI.
mr house
Guest
Melbourne deserved to win last night and the result was never in doubt. Essendon are overrated and haven't been that impressive as they are made out to be by their supporters and the media. Just consider the opposition they have beaten this year. Getting the job done against sides like north, collingwood and hawthorn is nothing to be too proud of tbh. A lot of their players are one trick ponies or go missing when things get a bit hard. Stringer, tippa, hind etc. didn't do too much last night against a good side. Hind ran into the point post to cough up an easy goal last night...and he is being talked up as the recruit of the year by some essendon fans lol..., Where was stringer and tippa last night when the game was on the line...1 goal between them in a tight game and that is what they were recruited to do..Still a long way to go for this mob. Melbourne on the other hand are the real deal and barely got of out 2nd gear last night. Margin should have been greater.
Toorak Tractor
Guest
We have accepted mediocrity since the mid 1960’s. We have been the laughing stock of the competition for far too long. An embarrassing loss to Collingwood should have been followed up by a 100 point flogging of Essendon. We will not win a final if we play like we have in the last month.
dab
Roar Rookie
Riewoldt, Lynch, Kennedy, Allen, Darling, Buddy, Cox, Dixon, Daniher, Hippworth can take pack contested marks. A required ingredient to win GFs. For GFs, one such player is good, two is better and as Chris Scott will tell you three are needed for some sides. The Demons have (mostly) avoided selecting such players.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
no-one can argue that the Dees aren't the most consistent side in the AFL right now. Whether they can maintain that consistency through the whole season, really is the million dollar question. I do think they are missing a trick the continued non selection of Ben Brown.
Cloak
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculous post. Which Melbourne supporter do you know who thinks we "have it in the bag"? We weren't lucky winners, we were deserved, and had we kicked straight in the first or third quarters we'd have run out comfortable winners. The so-called "questionable umpiring decisions" were largely correct and they're only an issue because the COVID restrictions meant the crowd was heavily Essendon-based and those Essendon supporters had an unrivalled ability to consider every single tackle they laid was deserving of a free kick, and conversely every time we tackled them we must have infringed. When finals roll around, our defence is what puts us in prime position to win them. We've been tested by 8 of the top 11, and 5 of the top 7 scoring sides other than us. We're 5-0 against the top 8, 8-0 against the top 11, and we've held those high scoring sides to some of their lowest scores of the season. So what you've said is largely the complete opposite of what's true.
dab
Roar Rookie
For Goodwin's salary for the next 2 years I can tell you the problem with Melbourne's forward line and the solution.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Dee's trying to be like the more successful, slightly younger Brother, the Redlegs.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
I’d be very surprised if a club that hasn’t won for 57 years thinks it has it in the bag.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
No team will ever have it in the bag. You have to win the day. There is no incredibly dominant team out there, but Melbourne will do well because it keeps winning against the other top sides.
Toorak Tractor
Guest
We were lucky to win last night. We were on the right side of a few questionable umpiring decisions that went our way. If those decisions went the other way, Essendon would have ran over the top of us. We have won two out of our last four. We are hanging on, and if we continue to play like we have in the last month, we will not be winning premierships, let alone finals. We are deluding ourselves if we think we have it in the bag.
DarwinDee
Guest
Good grinding win from my Dees... played poorly in patches but still got over the line and maybe should have won by more - I'd like to see Brown in the side next week tho whilst the back 6 were their brilliant selves the forward line worries me a bit. Can't not mention the TERRIBLE umpiring.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Melbourne are genuinely good this year. Not just making up the numbers like they've done before, even when making finals.