MELBOURNE has snatched a heart-stopping three-point victory and ended a 15-year hoodoo against West Coast in Perth, with one-time star defender Tom McDonald booting a miraculous goal in the final minute to clinch a thriller.
McDonald kicked his fifth major in the dying seconds as he was being tackled to the ground in the goalsquare by Jeremy McGovern, sealing a stunning 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96) triumph for the brave visitors.
It was the 11th lead change of a pulsating contest, and in the desperate last seconds the Demons pushed all bar one of their players into defence as they held on without stars Jesse Hogan, Nathan Jones and Jack Watts.
"It was such a big moment there was only 20 seconds to go in the game," Dees coach Simon Goodwin said of McDonald's match-winner.
"To come back the way we did – with six minutes to go we were 16 or 17 points down – so the spirit of the group and their ability to keep going and find a way was really strong … there is enormous belief in the playing group."
Saturday night's epic was a major statement from Goodwin's young Dees, who were led superbly by an inspirational Jack Viney, who finished with 38 disposals, 26 contested, nine clearances and one goal.
Despite copping a huge bump from Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn in the third term and clearly struggling with a sore right shoulder – which required treatment in the rooms – the tough nut returned to the action and led from the front.
Viney got one back on Hurn in the final minutes when he fairly flattened the big-bodied Eagle near the interchange gates.
Melbourne's win improved the club's record to 8-5 and for the first time since 2006 the Demons – up to fifth on the ladder - appear on track for September football.
It is also the first time in 11 years they have won four-straight games and Melbourne fans can dream of finals action.
The Eagles (7-6) will be kicking themselves after appearing to have the tight contest sewn-up in the final term.
West Coast led by 16 points nearing time on, but Melbourne surged and exorcised not only their demons in Perth, but also notched a first win over the Eagles in 10 attempts.
Viney was exceptional for the Dees in a hard-nosed midfield, which was well-serviced by returning ruckman Max Gawn (42 hit-outs).
Dom Tyson (33 touches), Jordan Lewis (29) and Clayton Oliver (27, eight clearances) – who worked through a tag from Mark Hutchings – toiled all night.
The Dees led by two points at quarter-time and five at the half-time siren, when tensions bubbled over.
Jeremy McGovern mowed down an unaware Jayden Hunt, who lost his headband in the tackle, as he was lining up a shot on the stroke of the siren, sparking retaliation from the Demons' players.
The fracas petered out before erupting again when Eagles backman Will Schofield was reported for thrusting an elbow into Clayton Oliver's chin.
Veteran recruit Drew Petrie almost lifted the Eagles to victory, winding back the clock with four goals in the absence of dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy.
McGovern kicked an equal-career best three goals, but was innacurate with three behinds and one shot that didn't score.
Ex-Hawks champion Sam Mitchell tried his best with 27 touches, while Lewis Jetta showed more encouraging signs with 22 possessions and youngster Liam Duggan (19) took another step forward.
The loss was the Eagles' second in three games at their home fortress, and with a tough month to come Adam Simpson's men are teetering on the precipice of the top eight.
"It was really disappointing the end result, obviously, so the boys are really flat," Simpson said.
"We did a lot of right things throughout the day but we couldn't hang on."
Both teams will be counting the cost of the physical clash, and the Dees will monitor young gun Christian Salem who was icing his hamstring in the fourth quarter and Jeff Garlett (hamstring tightness).
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: Shannon Hurn was walking around in the rooms after the game and the Eagles are hopeful he will be OK to play the Dogs next round.
Melbourne: Christian Salem and Jeff Garlett both finished the game on the bench with hamstring tightness. Jack Viney told AFL.com.au he was confident he will be right to take on the Swans next round despite a sore shoulder.
NEXT UP
The Demons return to the MCG for their only Friday night game this season and will host Sydney in a blockbuster, while the Eagles are facing a critical away trip to Etihad Stadium – where they were blown away by the Bombers last time - against the Western Bulldogs.
WEST COAST 2.5 5.7 11.10 14.12 (96)
MELBOURNE 3.1 6.6 10.8 15.9 (99)
GOALS
West Coast: Petrie 4, McGovern 3, Hutchings 2, Hill 2, Karpany, Gaff, Sheed
Melbourne: T.McDonald 5, Neal-Bullen 2, Petracca, Stretch, Viney, Bugg, Harmes, Melksham, Hannan, Pedersen
BEST
West Coast: Petrie, McGovern, Mitchell, Jetta, Sheed, Duggan, Vardy
Melbourne: Viney, T.McDonald, Tyson, Lewis, Gawn, Pedersen, Oliver
INJURIES
West Coast: Hurn (chest)
Melbourne: Viney (shoulder)
Reports: Will Schofield (West Coast) reported for striking Clayton Oliver at half-time
Umpires: Mitchell, Rosebury, Stephens
Official crowd: 36,622 at Domain Stadium
