MELBOURNE’S season is well and truly alive.

The Demons had all to play for at the Gabba on Saturday night, with a win over GWS the only way to keep them in the hunt in 2020.  

In what left the Melbourne faithful on the edge of their seats, it came down to the final few minutes, with a gutsy team performance securing the five-point victory.

But with inconsistent showings in recent weeks, it’s just a small progression for the coach.

“It’s still a work in progress for us as a club, but we’re starting to win in some different ways,” Simon Goodwin said in his post-match press conference.

“I spoke last week about growing up as a footy club and it was to execute our roles and play like we did in pressure situations.

“It was a step forward as a footy club – there’s no question about that.

“I thought some of the maturity of some of our young guys especially was outstanding, but we’ve got to create a new pathway forward and play this way week in, week out.

“All we’ve done is given ourselves an opportunity to play the same way again next week.”

Melbourne got off to a promising start in Brisbane, converting five goals in the opening term, before the Giants levelled things up in the second.

The momentum shifts and lead changes continued throughout the second half, but it was an aspect of the game that didn’t phase Goodwin.

“That’s footy,” he said.

“You saw two teams who were really desperate to keep their seasons alive and going, and play the right way.

“I’m really happy with the boys for their ability to reset and get it back on our terms.”

Melbourne will now meet Essendon on Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium, in another must-win match for the club.

And while featuring in finals will also be dependent on other results going their way, their focus will be solely on what they can control.

“We’ll approach it no different to every game of footy,” Goodwin said.

“Clearly there will be bigger stakes. Our destiny isn’t all in our hands, but we have to play the way we want to play.

“Our destiny really is in how we build our footy club – both short term and long term.

“I want to see the same Melbourne rock up as what we did today.”