MELBOURNE captain Jack Viney and coach Simon Goodwin have revealed the recipe to come from the clouds and shock West Coast at home.
When Melbourne was 16 points down approaching time-on in the final term at Domain Stadium, the flying Eagles looked home.
But one part strategy mixed with some Demon spirit saw them surge home to win 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96).
Goodwin hailed it as one of the best wins in his tenure, but said it was no fluke.
“We spend a fair bit of time on our late-game scenarios, we reminded our group and went through them numerous times over the last month,” Goodwin said.
“So it’ something they’re continuing to get better at.
“Obviously with a young group, earlier in the season we lost some close games so we’ve learnt from those experiences and we seem to be executing late in games a bit better.
“I think that’s the way the competition is at the moment, it’s so close and so tight that it’s coming down to the last few minutes.”
Viney, who played a magnificent game despite copping a heavy knock to his shoulder, said he knew his role as the game appeared to be slipping away.
“It was just keeping spirits up,” Viney said.
“We’ve been in that position before where we’ve had to scrap it out to win so it’s just really about keeping confidence, staying composed and hopefully the momentum starts to shift, and it did.
“It’s no good panicking and stressing about the situation because it’s not going to improve things so you’ve got to stay calm, composed.
“It’s been good because we’ve been put in those situations this year and we’ve learnt from it.”
The normally unflappable Goodwin admitted he got excited when Tom McDonald kicked the winner with just 21 seconds left on the clock.
“I don’t normally show too much emotion but it was such a big moment there was only 20 seconds to go in the game,” Goodwin said.
“To come back the way we did - with six minutes to go we were 16 or 17 points down – so the spirit of the group and their ability to keep going and find a way was really strong .. there is enormous belief within the playing group that they are capable of playing some really good footy.”
Goodwin said McDonald’s brilliant five-goal game in the absence of Jack Watts and Jesse Hogan gave Melbourne another arrow to put in their bow.
“It’s an interesting one. We certainly like what he’s delivering for us up forward. He’s also spent some time in the ruck so he’s adding a new dimension to his game which gives up options,” Goodwin said.
“We’ve got Jesse coming back shortly and Jack won’t be too far away … it’s nice to have those options available to us when the time comes.”
Goodwin said Hogan was unlikely to face Sydney at the MCG next Friday night but would be very close the week after.
“He’s an important player to our footy club and he’s gone through a hell of a lot, so it’s just going to be great to get him out there and see a smile on his face again,” the coach said.
