Matches: 16 Wins: 7 Losses: 9 Draws: 0
Simon Goodwin has made a point of declaring any past results irrelevant, including various hoodoos and hefty losses. However, with the Demons considered legitimate finals contenders this year, it's pertinent to examine how the team has fared in tight tussles in recent matches, given numerous September contests are decided by less than a kick. Melbourne's two-point loss to Fremantle in round four was deflating and the Demons then failed to overrun Hawthorn in round seven, going down by three points. Thankfully for Goodwin, Melbourne has found itself on the other side of the ledger in its past two close matches, beating Collingwood in round 12 by four points, and West Coast – thanks to Tom McDonald's late heroics – by three points last weekend.
Five that matter
West Coast, round 14, 2017, Domain Stadium, 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96)
Down by 16 points with only six minutes remaining, the Demons booted the last three majors of the match – including Tom McDonald's stunning effort from the goalsquare – to win their fourth-straight game.
Collingwood, round 12, 2017, MCG, 15.14 (104) to 15.10 (100)
Jack Watts was the hero for Melbourne, kicking a pressure-filled goal with less than two minutes to go to give the Demons victory in a thriller at the MCG.
Hawthorn, round seven, 2017, MCG, 14.7 (91) to 14.10 (94)
The Hawks turned back the clock and built a 35-point lead early in the third quarter. Melbourne staged a late comeback but Hawthorn's defence stood firm in the final frantic moments.
Ben Stratton offers a hand to Jordan Lewis after the Hawks' round seven win. Picture: AFL Photos
Fremantle, round four, 2017, MCG, 15.14 (104) to 16.10 (106)
Fremantle outlasted a fast-finishing Melbourne, surging to a 22-point lead at three-quarter time. The Demons led by 27 points in the second term and appeared to have the game in their keeping, but allowed the Dockers back into the match.
West Coast, round 18, 2016, Domain Stadium, 8.12 (60) to 10.6 (66)
Melbourne should have won this game, there are no doubts about it. The Demons led at every change, led the inside-50 count (66 to 37) and had 20 scores to the Eagles' 16. It was the Demons' 17th straight loss at the venue, a streak finally broken by last Saturday night's heroics. - Ben Guthrie
