GUTSY is probably the best word to describe Melbourne’s five-point win over the Giants.

With the season on the line, the Demons fought back in the final term to run out winners, after giving up an early three-goal lead.

The clash at The Gabba had big swings in momentum, which shone through on the stat sheet.

Here are some of the figures which helped shape the contest in Round 17.

A game of momentum

Clearances: first quarter v second quarter:

Q1: Melbourne: 12 | GWS: 7

Q2: Melbourne: 5 | GWS: 11

Scores from turnovers:

Q1: Melbourne: 5.1

Q2: GWS: 5.0

Inside 50s: second and third quarter combined:

Melbourne: 17 | GWS: 31

Uncontested possessions: last quarter:

Melbourne: 38 | GWS: 27

Scores per inside 50:

Q1: Melbourne: 64% | GWS: 45%

Q4: Melbourne: 36% | GWS: 20%

Time in possession: last quarter:

Melbourne: 48% | GWS: 33%

Metres gained from midfield stoppages: last quarter:

Melbourne: 264m | GWS: 112m

The Demons owned the first and fourth terms, while it was all GWS for the second and third.

01:30

RD 17 | Trent Rivers post-match

We speak to Trent Rivers after his terrific game at the Gabba

Around the ground

Uncontested marks:

Melbourne: 71 | GWS: 39

Contested possessions:

Melbourne: 123 | GWS: 146

Inside 50 efficiency:

Melbourne: 59% (23 shots from 39 entries) | GWS: 44% (23 shots from 52 entries)

Centre bounce clearances:

Melbourne: 11 | GWS: 15

03:03

RD 17 | Simon Goodwin post-match

Watch Simon Goodwin's post-match presser after a great win over GWS.

Individual efforts

Ed Langdon:

Uncontested possessions: 16 (game-high)

Marks: 9 (game-high)

Max Gawn:

Hit-outs: 44 (Mumford 18)

Clearances: 8 (game-high)

Steven May:

Intercept possessions: 7 (equal game-high)

Kysaiah Pickett:

Score involvements: 7 (equal game-high)

Clayton Oliver:

Disposals: 23 (team-high)

Tackles: 7 (game-high)

Pressure acts: 26 (game-high)