Melbourne 4.3 8.5 9.9 13.16 (94)
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Port Adelaide 1.2 2.4 6.5 8.6 (54)
GOALS – Melbourne: Brayshaw, Bugg, Garlett 2, Vince, Kent, Oliver, Frost, Tyson, Watts, Jones. Port Adelaide: Polec, Young 2, Krakouer, S. Gray, Wines, Wingard.
BEST – Melbourne: Gawn, Vince, Tyson, O. McDonald, Kent, Bugg. Port: R. Gray, Polec, S. Gray, Boak, Byrne-Jones, Wines.
INJURIES - Port: Wingard (hamstring).
UMPIRES Bannister, Chamberlain, Mollison.
CROWD 33,426 at Adelaide Oval.
For the first time in 223 games Melbourne sang their club song three weeks in a row and now we should join in the chorus.
After stunning Hawthorn the previous week, they were under pressure to at long last show some consistency, and to win again in a hostile environment proves they really deserve respect.
If Nathan Jones thought the feeling of waking up after the win over the Hawks was surreal, one wonders whether he and every Demon fan will sleep at all. Incredibly – but most unlikely – with two rounds remaining they can make the finals if they win their remaining games against Carlton (MCG) and Geelong (Simonds) and North Melbourne lose both games badly to Sydney Swans (Hobart) and GWS (Etihad). OK, the Demons probably won't make the finals, but given the decade of torment they have endured this was a great win.
Port were left floundering – and hurt with Chad Wingard tearing his right hamstring during the second quarter that will keep him out the remaining two rounds. Wingman Matt White also had his cheekbone fractured during their SANFL game.
The win ended Melbourne's seven-game losing streak to Port since round 17, 2011, and adds to the many dubious records they have finally broken this season. It is a remarkable recovery by Melbourne from the depths of despair, and a continuing amazing farewell for coach Paul Roos.
This win was about application, teamwork and relentless pressure. The skills were not always polished, but again they benefited from sheer hard work. This wasn't just about four premiership points, but building upon their character.
Mind you, they did almost everything to lose with abysmal kicking during the second half when Port had control and threatened to steal an unlikely win. But ultimately the Power paid for their first-half sins with too many ball-handling errors. Port kicked the first goal, but Melbourne kicked the next seven – and the tally should have been greater with better finishing-off going inside 50.
The Power were supposed to sweep all before them after getting within a kick of the 2014 grand final, but since then they have won 21 and lost 21, and are spiralling.
They showed their usual bravado, but for most part when it came to skills under pressure they were left wanting badly, particularly in attack where Charlie Dixon shanked two set shots out of bounds in the first half. Their forward structure just did not function well for most of the game.
The inside-50 chances were there. Port tackled hard, and they were competitive with contested possessions. Given the fact they trailed by 37 points at half-time, it was surprising they led the centre clearances 8-0 at that stage. It was a simple fact of their playing list just lacking depth of quality players when the going got tough.
Port didn't work hard enough early enough, and while Melbourne also made mistakes the big difference was they persisted and teammates joined in the recovery.
Jesse Hogan had two easy set shots to virtually seal the game when the Demons found themselves under pressure during the third term, but made awful attempts. He has not goaled since round 17. But, overall this was another example of Melbourne producing quality team football, and ruckman Max Gawn having a big impact. Bernie Vince was battered but certainly not beaten, and his class and tenacity was invaluable. His leadership qualities can also not be under-estimated.
Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver Jayden Hunt and Angus Brayshaw also had their quality moments, backed up by a resilient defence led by Oscar McDonald. The list goes on.
Port's first half was a near wipe-out, but during that impressive third term they had many who responded well, particularly Jared Polec, Robbie Gray and Sam Gray.
Matt Lobbe did not have a huge impact in his return to the side with Gawn clearly controlling the rucks, and Jackson Trengove also struggled to contain the big Demon. Criticism can be levelled at Melbourne for putting this win at risk in the second half, but in years gone by they would have folded completely much earlier.
This story originally appeared on www.theage.com.au
