Demons squeak home

MELBOURNE have surged into the AFL top eight with a heart-stopping four-point win over Collingwood in the annual Queen’s Birthday clash at the MCG.

The oft-maligned Jack Watts kicked what turned out to be the match-winner for the Demons deep in the last quarter, putting his team 10 points ahead.

Alex Fasolo slotted a major at the other end as the final siren sounded but it turned out to be too little too late as Melbourne won 15.14 (104) to 15.10 (100).

It lifted them to sixth spot with a 6-5 win-loss record, GOALS Demons 4.3 6.6 12.9 15.14 3.2 10.5 12.8 15.10 GOALS Magpies while West Coast dropped outside the top eight.

Collingwood would also have claimed sixth position on the ladder had they won.

There were six lead changes in a seesawing first term as both teams searched for an advantage.

The Demons took a sevenpoint lead into the opening break when Tom McDonald booted a goal after the siren after his former teammate Lynden Dunn conceded a CROWD questionable free marking contest.

The Magpies looked to have broken the game open with the first six goals of the second quarter, including a clever snap from Fasolo, who was back in action after sitting out the Magpies’ previous match having gone public with his mental health battle.

Christian Petracca then got Melbourne back into the contest, setting up a goal for Jeff Garlett with a fine intercept kick in a mark and kicking another one himself.

Former Demon Jeremy Howe jumped clear over the top of Tom McDonald in what was a serious contender for mark of the year late in the term. The Magpies led by 23 points at halftime.

Melbourne wrested back the momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Collingwood by six goals to two to take a one-point lead into the final change.

Goals were harder to come by in the final quarter, with Mitch Hannan, Petracca and Watts booting majors for the winners and Jordan De Goey, Tom Phillips and Fasolo responding for the Magpies.