MELBOURNE rediscovered the ruthless attitude that has been missing in previous weeks, with a first half onslaught spurring it to an impressive 23-point win over a fast-finishing Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The unrelenting brand of football Melbourne wants to be known for, built on pressure and an insatiable hunger for the contest, returned in timely fashion, as Simon Goodwin's side opened up a 32-point buffer at half time.
Port Adelaide worked its way back into the contest in the second half, but left itself with too much to do as the Power failed to cement a place in the top four, going down 13.10 (88) to 9.11 (65).
With injuries to key personnel mounting up over the past month, the Demons' September hopes appeared to be on shaky ground after winning just one of its past three matches – an uninspiring victory over Carlton.
But the Demons were out to make a statement from the very beginning, as they skipped out to a 25-point quarter-time lead.
Back in the side just 19 days after surgery on the plantar fascia in his foot, Jack Viney, who had 12 disposals and four clearances in the first term alone, epitomised Melbourne's win-at-all-costs approach.
Viney's influence was dulled a little after half time (25 disposals and 10 clearances), but with Clayton Oliver (30 touches) and Dom Tyson (29) also prolific the Demons were well equipped to hold off Port's late charge.
Melbourne controlled the flow of the game with Max Gawn dominating against All Australian ruck contender Patrick Ryder, and led clearances (26-11), contested possessions (95-74) and inside 50s (36-18) at the major change.
"It was probably the way we played (that was most pleasing). We were pretty disappointed with our game last week up in Darwin (against Adelaide), especially the style of play around our contested ball and our clearance (work), so to get that back today was terrific," Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
The Demons did not allow Port to convert its first goal until the 23rd minute mark of the second term and took a 32-point lead into half time – although it should have been more.
Michael Hibberd (36 disposals and nine rebound 50s) continued his fine season in Demons colours, while Jesse Hogan (three goals) enjoyed his best game since returning from cancer surgery and Jake Melksham also chipped in with three.
When Melksham kicked a brilliant left foot snap to start the third term, the margin had ballooned out to 37 points and any form of Port resistance did not appear to be forthcoming.
That was until Robbie Gray inspired his team's purposeful comeback, with 10 contested possessions, five clearances and four inside 50s in the third quarter, as the Power cut the Demons' advantage to 28 points at the final change.
Gray ended the game with 31 disposals (19 contested) and nine clearances to be the Power's best player, while captain Travis Boak kicked two of his four goals in the third term as he too tried to lift in his team's hour of need.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said his side was thoroughly beaten in most facets on the game, particularly in a disappointing first half.
"We were just totally outplayed. They were more physical than us… we don't hide. It was just a poor, poor start by us in the contest," Hinkley said.
"We didn't seem to enjoy the fight or the contest and got steamrolled a bit on the inside. We don't normally lose inside 50s as badly as we did (45-62)."
The Power gradually chipped into the Demons' advantage and cut the margin to 16 points at the fifth-minute mark of the final quarter when Charlie Dixon stood tall, but Melbourne steadied and gained back control of the game the longer the quarter went.
Melksham's brilliant set shot from a tight angle on the boundary deep in the last term – his third goal of the contest – snuffed out Port's hopes of an unlikely comeback, as the Demons solidified their position in the top eight.
With Viney, Jack Watts, Dom Tyson and Christian Salem returning from injury and Jack Trengove playing his first senior game of the year, and just his fourth since 2014 after a career-threatening foot injury, the Demons were unable to sustain the combative game style that served them so well in the first half.
"I thought bringing so many players back, at some point in the game, we were going to struggle a bit, but the resolve of the group and the ability to continue to [dig deep], I thought shone through again in the last quarter."
An ankle injury to star forward Chad Wingard – which saw him sit out the final quarter on the bench – could also be notable in the context of Port Adelaide's season.
INJURY ROOM
Melbourne: Max Gawn sought regular treatment on a rolled ankle throughout the day, retreating to the change rooms at three-quarter time, but returned and played out the game. Coach Simon Goodwin says the Demons are hopeful he will be right for next week. Tom McDonald copped a corkie in his hamstring when tackled by Robbie Gray but also finished the match without much bother.
Port Adelaide: Chad Wingard suffered an injury to his left ankle in the third quarter and was helped from the field in the hands of trainers. As he attempted to dribble kick a goal from the boundary, Demons defender Sam Frost dived across his leg and landed with his full weight through his leg. Wingard briefly returned but sat most of the fourth quarter on the bench. Coach Ken Hinkley said the forward's injury will be assessed during the week.
NEXT UP
The Demons travel down to Hobart to take on North Melbourne searching for their first win over the Kangaroos since 2006. Port Adelaide will be out to prove that Saturday's flat performance was a one-off when it does battle with St Kilda at Adelaide Oval next Saturday night.
MELBOURNE 4.4 8.8 11.8 13.10 (88)
PORT ADELAIDE 0.3 3.6 6.10 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 3, Melksham 3, Garlett 2, Petracca 2, T.McDonald, Harmes, Hannan
Port Adelaide: Boak 4, Westhoff 2, Trengove, Wingard, Dixon
BEST
Melbourne: Hibberd, Tyson, Hogan, Hunt, Gawn, Viney, Jetta
Port Adelaide: R.Gray, Boak, Ebert, Powell-Pepper, Wines, S.Gray
INJURIES
Melbourne: Gawn (right ankle)
Port Adelaide: Wingard (left ankle), Broadbent (leg)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Nicholls, Meredith
Official crowd: 27,068 at the MCG
