First quarter: GWS 1.2 (8) to Melb 0.2 (2)
The opening term was far from pretty, with much of the quarter played between the arcs.
It was low-scoring with just one goal kicked via GWS’ Jeremy Cameron at the eight-minute mark.
Melbourne registered just two behinds – via Jack Fitzpatrick and Michael Evans – as the Giants took a six-point lead into the first break.
Second quarter: GWS 2.7 (19) to Melb 1.5 (11)
Just two goals were added in the second term, as inaccurate kicking dominated the scoreboard – a dismal 3.12 was posted combining both scores.
Jonathon Patton booted GWS’ second, midway during the term, and it wasn’t until the 19-minute mark when Melbourne finally opened its account through Lynden Dunn.
Although the Demons had just one goal on the board by half-time, they only trailed by eight points.
Third quarter: GWS 5.12 (42) to Melb 5.5 (35)
With just three goals registered in the first half, the game opened up after the long break.
Early on in the third term, it was goal-for-goal, but when Dean Kent kicked a beautiful checkside goal, Dunn followed up with his second and Jack Watts made it a couple for the term, the Demons hit the front for the time – grabbing a two-point advantage.
But when GWS’ Jeremy Cameron answered with his second, deep in time-on, the Giants took a seven-point lead into the final term.
Final quarter: GWS 10.19 (79) d Melb 6.5 (41)
With the match up for grabs in the final term, the Demons started strongly when All-Australian defender James Frawley, playing up forward, kicked his first goal – and just the fourth of his career.
But given the rainy, slippery conditions, the match was soon turned on its head, when the Giants booted three goals in seven minutes – including two from Josh Kelly. And when Devon Smith made it four in a row during time-on, GWS had the match well and truly in its keeping.
Melbourne’s only other goal came via Matt Jones at the 28-minute mark, but when Stephen Coniglio kicked GWS’ fifth for the term, the home side won by 32 points.