TOM BUGG says restricting GWS’s ball movement in the final quarter was the key to Melbourne’s win on Saturday.
The Giants made the most of their running game, while restricting Melbourne’s own ball movement, to kick out to a 21-point lead at the final change.
Bugg said Melbourne’s hard work to shut down the GWS runners in the final quarter was the key to the come-from-behind win.
“They’re a very good team,” he told Melbourne TV.
“We respect them so much and the thing we had to do was stop their ball movement to beat them.
“I think we did that really well in the last quarter and that was what ended up getting us the win.”
Melbourne kicked just one goal across the second and third quarters, before storming home with six goals in the final term.
Bugg said the message from Paul Roos at the final huddle was a simple one.
“He just said ‘believe’ – that’s what our whole pre-season’s been built around – believing that we can actually win these games,” Bugg said.
“We let ourselves down in the third quarter and let them score a couple of easy goals.
“So it was about believing and having one last crack and we did and we got the result.”
Bugg, who crossed to Melbourne from the Giants at the end of 2015, said he was “stoked” to get the four points in his first game in red and blue.
“It’s the best feeling you could have, especially against the old team,” he said.
“I’ve got the bragging rights for another year now so it’s pretty good.
“There was a little bit of banter there but it was all in good fun [and] at the moment I’m just stoked with the win.”
Bugg praised the performances of midfielder Jack Viney and defender Tom McDonald, while also highlighting Jack Watts’ work up forward.
Watts had 18 possessions and 10 marks for the game and kicked a crucial goal in the final term to be among Melbourne’s best performers against the Giants.
“His whole pre-season, he’s been taking those marks and really taking the game on, which is one of his strengths,” Bugg said.
“He just believes in himself and that’s the best thing – you saw it today and in the pre-season games as well, that he’s really taken that next step.”
With four points locked away, Bugg said Melborune’s focus now turned to the round two clash against Essendon.
“We do our recovery… and we’ll do our review early in the week,” he said.
“Then we’ll switch our focus straight to Essendon and get ready for that game. “