A GALLANT Melbourne outfit has fallen just 19 points short of adding to a round of upset results, having pushed ladder-leaders Hawthorn all the way in a thrilling MCG clash on Sunday afternoon.
In sometimes drizzly but otherwise still conditions, the Demons and the Hawks slugged it out in a fierce and passionate encounter, with the brown and gold prevailing after an exciting final term to win 14.13 (97) to 12.6 (78).
The result ended what has been a tumultuous week for the Demons, where their long-serving skipper David Neitz announced his immediate retirement from the game and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett called for the club's relocation to the Gold Coast.
And the courageous loss may have come with an additional cost, with forward Russell Robertson restricted to patrolling the boundary line in tracksuit pants in the final term after receiving a suspected quad injury.
Melbourne led by six points at quarter-time and 12 at half time, but trailed at the final change after allowing the Hawks to slam on four unanswered goals in red time of the third term.
From there, the lead changed four times in what was a nail-biting final stanza where Hawthorn outscored its opponent four goals to three.
Brock McLean was terrific for the Demons with 30 touches and seven tackles, while Matthew Bate had 29 disposals and Cameron Bruce answered the call for a stand-out performance from the club's senior players with 26 possessions.
Aaron Davey was also prolific with 20 touches and a goal, and veteran Ben Holland kicked three majors in his first senior appearance for the year.
The Demons lost No.1 ruckman Jeff White before the bounce with a back complaint, while Hawthorn omitted hard-nut Jordan Lewis with a corked leg, which brought youngster Jarryd Morton in to debut against his brother Cale.
Melbourne was on an emotional high before the game with the club's banner honouring Neitz. The players then huddled in front of the crepe paper creation for the entirety of the club song, with Neitz the centre of the group for what would be the final time.
Whatever was said between the playing group and its former leader will more than likely remain private, but the words proved inspirational.
The Demons came out breathing fire, and within minutes had Lance 'Buddy' Franklin sitting on the turf following a heavy hit by Nathan Jones, and had instigated a spate of minor melees against a side renowned for its ferocity.
Robertson kicked two goals early on and the Demons' two Aboriginal stars in Davey and Austin Wonaeamirri indicated the Indigenous Round occasion was providing them with an added degree of motivation.
Despite a slow start, the Hawks managed to reduce quarter-time deficits in both the clearance and tackle count by half time, but the Demons still led on the scoreboard.
However, a six goal to three third term to the visiting side, which ended with four unanswered majors to Cyril Rioli, Mark Williams, Xavier Ellis and Franklin, saw the Hawks regain the lead and take it into the final stanza.
With a margin of 10 points, the Hawks took confidence into the final term, but after Franklin missed a set shot in the opening minute, the Demons took the opportunity to claim the first major through Jones shortly after.
Goals to Davey and Bruce kept the Dees in the contest, but there were simply no answers for the drive the Hawks suddenly found.
Melbourne will now travel across town to face St Kilda at Telstra Dome next Sunday afternoon.
Hawthorn 3.3 4.7 10.9 14.13 (97)
Melbourne 4.3 6.4 9.5 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Ladson, Campbell, Roughead, Ellis, Clarke
Melbourne: Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson, Davey, Bruce
BEST
Hawthorn: Bateman, Rioli, Campbell, Birchall, Mitchell, Franklin
Melbourne: McLean, Bate, Davey, Holland, Wonaeamirri, Moloney
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Lewis (corked thigh) replaced in selected side by Morton, Dew (hamstring)
Melbourne: White (back) replaced in selected side by Jamar, Robertson (corked thigh), Holland (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: James, Grun, Armstrong
Official crowd: 41,341 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
