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An inspired Melbourne have spoiled Gold Coast’s undefeated run and notched a sensational win, prevailing at the MCG on Easter Sunday by 20 points.
Revitalised under new coach Steven King and energised by captain Max Gawn – who played his 250th game last week in the comeback win over Carlton – Melbourne shone with a fast handball game and an age-defying performance from veteran Jake Melksham.
Jake Melksham takes a sensational mark in the third term. Getty Images
In the words of Suns coach Damien Hardwick, the “underestimated” Demons “absolutely spanked” their opponents in the middle as they held on to win 16.13 (109) to 14.5 (89), defying predictions and denying the visitors an expected victory.
Only 24,287 were on hand at the MCG on Sunday, but the roar of the Demons’ faithful sounded far louder.
King said he hoped the team and fans were excited by the season so far – the Demons are now 3-1 – but noted they weren’t pursuing perfection on the field.
“You’re never sure how quickly it can click and to get it to this point so far is pretty encouraging,” King said.
“I’ve got an amazing coaching group that believe in their players and I think the players now are starting to believe in themselves.”
He highlighted the team’s camaraderie and said players were eager to celebrate each other’s achievements.
“What you’re after is a group of people who believe in each other and want to play for each other and I think we are starting to see that unfold in front of our eyes,” he said.
Melksham told Fox Footy that Melbourne’s game plan under King had changed, with a greater emphasis on freedom to move the ball
“As a forward, the way we’re moving it helps old guys like me still look somewhat young,” Melksham joked.
Matt Rowell tackles Christian Salem.AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Suns felt the absence of star midfielder Christian Petracca, who would have come up against his old team for the first time since leaving last off-season but missed with a hamstring injury. But they did welcome back Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell for the first time this season.
“I thought we looked a little bit flat to start, and probably that went throughout the game … we just couldn’t get our game up and going,” Hardwick said. “So what that comes down to, I don’t really know, but what I do know it’s hard to defend when they [Melbourne] move the ball so well.”
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Despite the loss, Hardwick said his team loved playing at the MCG and said Gold Coast “should be rewarded with more games here”.
The Suns enjoyed a bright start and were first on the scoreboard with a clean grab and goal from Ben King followed by another from Ethan Read as Melbourne missed several opportunities.
There were cheers from the small but dedicated group of Gold Coast fans at the MCG for No.2 draft pick Zeke Uwland, who kicked his fist AFL goal to boost the Suns’ first-quarter lead.
But a snap on the siren from Christian Salem cut the margin to single digits and left Melbourne in prime position to pounce. An inspired second quarter, featuring back-to-back goals from 34-year-old Melksham, followed by another from Harvey Langford, put the Demons ahead.
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Gold Coast upped the pressure in the second half, but suffered from errors and gave away several 50-metre penalties, which halted their momentum. The Demons took advantage with a goal from their skipper and a running snap from Kysaiah Pickett to extend their lead at three-quarter-time.
The depleted Suns looked completely out of steam during the fourth quarter, failing to capitalise on key moments and missing key shots at goal, while a frustrated Hardwick looked on in the coaches’ box.
A thrilling final-quarter effort from Melksham, aided by goals from Langford and Pickett, sealed a season-making win for the Demons in front of a roaring home crowd.
Next up for Melbourne is a match-up against the beleaguered Bombers in next weekend’s Gather Round in South Australia.
“We’ve got a six-day break now, we travel, our challenge now is to win on the road,” King said.
The Suns will have to rebound against the ladder-leading Swans, who are coming off a thrashing of West Coast.
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.From our partners