MELBOURNE’S Jake Melksham says his side’s 17-point victory over West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon was nothing short of “amazing”.
Melksham, who helped the Demons secure their first finals appearance in 12 years, said the win was a big reward for effort.
“There was massive elation when the siren went, and we couldn’t be happier,” he told Melbourne Media.
“We’ve been in a lot of those tight games against quality sides this year and we have come up short.
“Today, it was a huge game for us.”
Prior to Sunday’s clash, the red and blue had lost five games by 10 points or less – to Geelong (twice), Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Sydney – with their ability to withstand an opposition charge in question.
The Eagles put on a string of goals at several occasions throughout, but the Demons were quick to answer in their first trip to the west this season.
And holding an eight-point lead heading into the last quarter, they weren’t about to stop.
“The message from ‘Goody’ (Simon Goodwin) [at three-quarter time] was to keep doing what we’d been doing all game, which was being tight in the contest [and] closing out in defence,” Melksham said.
“We just kept playing, stuck to our guns, and it worked well.”
Melbourne’s momentum halting wasn’t the only credential generating talk, with its capacity to match it against the top sides of the competition under fire.
Although the red and blue had beaten North Melbourne when it was in the top eight early in the season, as well as Adelaide in round 10 when it sat in fourth position, its winless record against the top nine sides on the ladder was concerning.
“It’s something that’s sort of haunted us this year,” Melksham said.
“Internally, we think that we’ve been pretty good and in every game.
“To just get a win and gain some confidence from that is huge.”
After missing the past two matches with a hamstring injury he sustained in round 19, Melksham was an important returnee for the Demons.
The 26-year-old finished with 18 disposals and a game-high four goals, while matching up against West Coast key defender Jeremy McGovern.
And it was a job well done, according to the coach.
“I thought he was terrific,” Simon Goodwin said in his post-match press conference.
“He’s played that role before on some other dominant defenders in the competition, so it was a really good opportunity to narrow his focus coming back in the team.
“He’s a really important player for us.”
Melbourne will now face GWS Giants at the MCG on Sunday, with a win booking a home final in the first week of September action.
With the possibility of even finishing as high as fourth – Fremantle would need to defeat Collingwood at Optus Stadium – the group are ready to make the most of it.
“Today just gives us great confidence moving forward,” Melksham said.
“The monkey’s off the back now that we’ve won a tight game, especially interstate.
“We come up against another quality side next week on our home deck, and we really look forward to it.”
