SATURDAY night was a great night to be a Demon.
There was a genuine vibe from the outset.
The club celebrated three wins on the day. It started at Casey Fields, when the Scorpions climbed to the top of the table with a win over the Northern Blues.
Later in the night, Melbourne claimed the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, after winning the inaugural women’s match. And, after a massive final quarter scare, Melbourne managed to hang on for a thrilling three-point victory over the Western Bulldogs, winning just its second match for the season.
It equated to one memorable night in a trying year for the Demons. Still, here are 10 reasons why it was a night to remember …
First AFL women’s match
Around 5 pm, the buzz started at the ‘G.
By 5.10 pm, history was created when the game between the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs women’s teams got under way.
Pockets of the ground were quickly filled by players’ families and friends. Supporters of both teams had also arrived early to check out the match. It was reminiscent of the reserves being played before the main game, ‘back in the day’. Not only was it a great opportunity to witness the nation’s leading female players, but the fact that the curtain-raiser was back was quite simply ‘good for football’.
It reinforced the notion that a quality game of football, with genuine meaning, remains the best form of ‘pre-match entertainment’. And if the vision for an AFL women’s competition is by 2020, wouldn’t it fantastic to go ‘back to the future’ with the women kick-starting the day before the main game?
It certainly added to the atmosphere of the night, as was commented by many who attended.
Daisy Pearce … what a gun!
It was easy to see why Pearce was the first player selected in the women’s draft. She was simply a jet. A game high 28 disposals netted her much deserved best on ground honours.
But the Demons had several standouts. Chelsea Randall was Nick Riewoldt-like in her leading up the ground as a key forward. Kara Donnellan entered the game with the well-known ‘Juddy’ nickname for her ball winning ability. And Ellie Blackburn was another impressive player, kicking the opening goal of the match.
The Demons won by 32 points to cap off a proud moment in the club’s history and a massive step in women’s football.
The Demons make a strong start … and Howe’s back with some cracking hangers
It didn’t take long for the Dees to make an impact in their round 14 clash against the Bulldogs. The Demons led by nine points at quarter-time, and by the main change were up by 26 points.
Interspersed in the first half were two hangers from Jeremy Howe, who took a two-bite at the cherry beauty over teammate Chris Dawes and in the second term, soared over Bulldog Nick Lower to rake in an even better grab.
Two strong quarters set up the match
Melbourne’s second and third terms were its best for the season.
It booted 5.3 in the second term, with Jack Watts booting two goals to have three by the long break. Singles came via Jack Fitzpatrick, Nathan Jones and Max Gawn, as the Bulldogs added a couple of majors via Daniel Giansiracusa.
The Demons led by 26 points at the main break, and the signs were promising.
In the third term, Melbourne added 4.4 to 2.3, as Fitzpatrick and Chris Dawes added their second each for the match. David Rodan and Sam Blease also chipped in with their first.
Upon reflection, these were critical periods for the Demons, as they entered the final term with a 39-point advantage.
The final term: how’s your ticker?
Given that Melbourne was up by more than six goals entering the last term – and led by 44 points at the 13-minute mark – it was safe to say that its second win of the season was all but secure. But the Bulldogs produced a remarkable 20-minute patch, booting seven unanswered goals to almost record a stunning victory.
When Bulldog Ayce Cordy kicked truly at the 31-minute mark – reducing the deficit back to two points – red and blue hearts were ticking at an unnerving rate.
But some composure by Melbourne in the dying stages, including a crucial mark by Watts in the back half, proved telling. It resulted in the red and blue’s second win of the season.
Fitzpatrick gains confidence
From the win, came several individual highlights. One of the pleasing aspects of the second term – and for the match – was the performance of Fitzpatrick.
He took five marks, including a couple of contested grabs.
But it was his outstanding checkside goal from the boundary pocket at the Ponsford Stand end that was his highlight. Yet, the enjoyment Fitzpatrick gained from playing in his first win was not lost when he spoke post-match.
“That’s what you play footy for. I’ve played footy since I was five years old and I was finally able to live my dream, have a win on the ‘G and play Saturday night footy – you can’t get much better than that,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
Watts plays one of his finest AFL matches
Watts’ four goals were a career best. But it was his ability to play in attack and then push back – he took a telling mark in defence during the dying stages – that came to the fore. His efforts were not lost on coach Neil Craig, who heaped praise on Watts post-match.
“Towards the end of the game, he was fantastic. Jack Watts’ last little bit of the game – his positioning and capacity to know where to go to read the play [was very good]. He’s got a cool head on him, so he’s had an all-round game and he’s been like that for two or three weeks,” he said.
“He’s taking some steps forward, is Jack, and he should really feel good about himself. He’s had to put up with a lot in this competition, and I’m really pleased that he’s able to show some of his talent.
“He’s actually worked on that and addressed it pretty strongly.”
Co-captain Jack Trengove also couldn’t speak highly enough of Watts’ game.
“Some of the guys, like Wattsy, you love to have the ball in his hands,” he said.
“You know he’s so composed with the ball and it’s just a matter of getting it into his hands and really slowing the game down … but it was pretty nerve-wracking.”
Rodan produces best match for Dees
The former Tiger and Power midfielder/forward produced arguably his best match yet for the Demons.
Rodan finished with 21 disposals, seven inside 50s and a brilliant running goal, which came about after he kept the ball alive along the boundary, before taking a couple of bounces and kicking under pressure.
Craig lauds defender Dean
Dean Terlich continued his fine first season with the Demons, winning 24 disposals.
Craig was quick to point out the former Sydney rookie’s influence since joining the club.
“Dean’s been good all year and he’s been one of the success stories in the competition. Him and Matthew Jones have been there pretty much all year, and we’ve got Dean Kent starting to come through and get a bit of a taste of it as well,” he said.
“Dean Terlich, if he was playing at a footy club higher on the premiership table, you’d be talking in a different language about Dean. He’s been fantastic. That’s great testimony to himself.
“He’s done it hard Dean, having been to Sydney and then the Norwood footy club. It’s great for him, the resilience he’s showed and the perseverance he’s showed. Nathan Bassett at the Norwood Football Club has done a great job with him to prepare him to play AFL footy, so he’s been fantastic for us. The work that Jade Rawlings does with our defence, with Andrew Nichol, is fantastic.”
Terlich has been a model of consistency, and his tenacious style of play has become an integral part of Melbourne’s defence.
His form has been such that it would not surprise if he was right up there in the club best and fairest voting come season’s end.
Craig guides Dees strongly
Craig is one experienced coach. And his record at Adelaide backs that up. It was impressive, although he didn’t taste the ultimate success.
He coached the club from 2004-11 and guided the Crows to nine finals, including back-to-back preliminary finals in 2005-06. In fact, he oversaw Adelaide to five consecutive finals campaigns from 2005-09, and finished with a 55 per cent winning record.
Back in the hot seat for his second match at Melbourne, Craig made an impact.
He spoke openly post-match about his role, and was realistic and effervescent in his appraisal when necessary.
Understanding of his current situation, he will wait and see how Melbourne’s coaching situation “unfolds”. But for the moment, there is no doubt Craig is giving his all for the Demons.
Speaking about the win, he said the club needed to celebrate their day, using the 24-hour rule. And certainly for the players and coaches that’s the case, as next week’s challenge against the Sydney Swans is almighty. But as Craig added, “what an opportunity”.
Still, Saturday night was an important one for Melbourne, particularly for its faithful. A win was much needed, and a glimmer of hope reemerged.
