IT DOESN’T matter how you get the four points; you’ve just got to get them.
And Melbourne did just that on Saturday afternoon.
After leading by seven goals at the 12-minute mark of the second term, the Demons allowed Carlton back in the game to receive an almighty scare.
The Blues tied the scores in the final term, but a late behind to Bayley Fritsch was enough to see the Dees go home winners.
Sure, it wasn’t pretty, but Melbourne got the result it was after.
“Goody said, ‘It’s a hard competition, especially this year,’ so a win’s a win,” Jayden Hunt told Melbourne Media post-game.
“I know we weren’t as happy as a normal win because our second half obviously wasn’t good enough, but having said that, we got the four points in the end which is good.”
There were a number of reasons behind the Dees’ demise after quarter-time, with Carlton’s pressure being one of them.
“They definitely lifted,” Hunt said.
“I think they got one extra back which we didn’t deal with as best as we could, and we sort of just made some crucial mistakes, especially going forward.
“We missed a lot of opportunities both at goal and in the field of play, I guess.
“Credit to them though, they lifted their game – we just weren’t good enough.
“But having said that, plenty to work on for next week which is good.”
While there were some flat periods of play in Melbourne’s one-point victory at Marvel Stadium, there was a lot to like early.
The Demons flew out of the blocks with a five-goal to none first quarter, getting the game on their terms.
“The last message Goody kind of said is that fast start – plenty of aggression which we were able to do,” Hunt said.
“With these shorter quarters, a fast start is twice as important as usual, I guess.”
And that momentum stemmed from the centre.
Max Gawn was instrumental with 34 hit-outs and 21 disposals, while Clayton Oliver (28 disposals) and Christian Petracca (24 disposals) benefitted from their skipper’s work.
“I think when the boys are working together it’s a pretty dynamic sort of midfield,” Hunt said.
“Early on we got a display of that and I’m sure they’ll continue to work on their game’s and improve as well.”
Hunt, who was left out of the Round 1 side, returned in a big way, booting three goals from his seven disposals as he looks to cement his spot in the Dees’ forward line.
