THE Demons’ Saturday night win saw their defence restrict the Cats to their second lowest score of 2024 and hand them their first loss of the season.
Melbourne hosted Geelong at the MCG for the first time since Round 5 of 2021, and despite a slow first half on the scoreboard, soared to its sixth win of the year.
Following the thrilling eight-point victory, star defender Steven May acknowledged the team’s execution of the game plan and their ability to build on it each week.
“We’ve been trending pretty good with the way we’ve been playing, but I thought we were able to put our strengths on show,” May told Melbourne Media.
“[We] put our game plan on show that we've been working so hard on against arguably the best team in the league.
Melbourne’s backline was hungry for victory, with the mixture of young and senior players putting the pressure on Geelong’s formidable forward line.
May was a standout with 25 disposals, 22 kicks and 13 marks, while teammate Jake Lever was yet again a brick wall in the defensive 50 with 12 intercepts and 510 metres gained.
As an experienced backman, May said he was particularly impressed with the composure of the young defenders such as Judd McVee, Blake Howes and Taj Woewodin.
“We had three or four young guys down back and I was worried how they’d go against the stars like Cameron and [Tyson] Stengle, [Tom] Hawkins, [Gryan] Miers, and they were just so, so solid, so mature,” May said.
“Relish that opportunity, when [Geelong] kick a goal, and there’s two points, don’t go into your shell, win the next contest, and they just looked so hungry.
“They’re made of the right stuff, and I thought it was really good that they were able to hang on… our boys were just so switched on.”
Having played the last three home-and-away games against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, May praised the loud Demon crowd in pushing the team to the final siren.
“It was great playing in front of our home crowd against Geelong, and [the fans] were great,” May said.
“I think it was just a great night for the club.”
