Demons do it the hard way
MELBOURNE is poised to play AFL finals for the first time since 2006, but the Demons made life tough for their long-suffering fans in yesterday’s 13-point win over Brisbane.
A six-goal haul from Jesse Hogan was the highlight, but the last-placed Lions threatened to spoil the party when they piled on four unanswered goals to come roaring back from a 32-point deficit in the last quarter.
Brisbane trailed by just seven points with under two minutes remaining, but the Demons held their nerve to record a 16.8 (104) to 14.7 (91) win in front of 30,422 fans at the MCG.
The victory was Melbourne’s 12th of the season and means it will take a huge loss to Collingwood next week and other results to go against it for it to miss out on a finals berth.
Hogan put in a dominant display after missing just two matches with a broken collarbone.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin paid tribute to the 22-year-old who has had to deal with the death of his father and a testicular cancer diagnosis this year.
“It’s terrific for Jesse ... he’s had a really difficult year but he’s had a fantastic little period of training,” Goodwin said.
“To hit the scoreboard was one thing but I thought his intent in the way he played was outstanding. It was a reflection of the training that he’s been able to put in.”
Demons skipper Nathan Jones (32 possessions) and Clayton Oliver (30) were also key factors in the win. It will take a disaster for the Demons not to play finals, but Goodwin wasn’t willing to look past the Round-23 clash against the Pies.
Melbourne couldn’t shake the dogged Lions over the first three quarters of the hotly contested match but scratched its way to a 15point lead at the last break.
Goodwin’s men looked home when they booted the first three goals of the final term, but brave Brisbane’s four unanswered majors set up a thrilling finale.
“We did a lot of things right today and gave ourselves a chance to win the game,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“I thought we showed great spirit. I thought the game was going to blow open there in the last quarter, but we found a way to get back in it.”
Dayne Beams led the Lions superbly with 33 touches and three goals, with Dayne Zorko (26 disposals and a goal) and Daniel Rich (25 disposals) also important.
On a sour note for the Demons, Bernie Vince will come under scrutiny for his high hit on Beams in the second quarter.