Intro:
Clichés are often tired, but they are that way because they are true. It was a genuine eight-point game at the MCG on a cold Saturday night. Melborune and GWS came into the match in 10th and 7th on the ladder, respectively. With neither having anything resembling an easy fixture on the horizon. They both needed this one. The Giants were arguably in better form and health, but a wounded Demon is still dangerous..
The Game:
Some things just never change in football. Melbourne started the game the better team. They controlled the ball, the territory and were playing with more intensity and pressure for the first 10 minutes. However, after that first 10 minutes the score stood 1.3.9 to 1.0.6 after GWS scrambled the ball forward for just their second inside-50, and Tom Green snapped a goal from the contest.
By the end of the quarter Melbourne had vindicated their dominance to lead by 27 points and looked in complete control of the match.
The Giants responded in the second quarter. Mike Tyson said that “everyone has a plan until they got punched in the mouth”. Well, GWS appears to be going into games with a plan to get punched in the mouth, just to feel the oppositions best shot, before they give them a look and throw back one of their own.
It’s a bold strategy, Cotton.
It’s worked for them for the better part of 2024. It will be interesting to see how it fares in the weeks to come as games continue to mean more.
A stalemate developed in the third quarter. The Giants had the run of play, but the Demons’ defence was resolute. It looked as if GWS weren’t going to be able to find a way to score until Toby Greene stepped up to kick his team into gear. A surge of late goals ensued, and the Giants snatched the lead at the final break.
The Giants straight-up blitzed Melbourne in the opening 10 minutes of the last quarter. Four quick goals to blow the game open. It looked they had just about sealed it. But Melbourne still had players with names like Gawn, Oliver, Viney and May in their side, and they were not going to let their season fade without a fight. The Demons brought it back to two points but could not find a final goal to pinch the lead back. GWS were quite professional in closing out of the game and taking valuable minutes off the clock with some possession in the final minutes.
The Best Stuff:
Toby Greene
Just too good and too smart. Like a five-foot-eleven key forward. How Toby goes, so often dictates how the Giants travel. The Giants captain delivered in a massive way to keep his team in the game early and then to help them take it later on. It was unclear if Melbourne had a good match-up for him. Too strong in the air, too smart at ground level, and too skilful around goal. If you’re coming up against GWS you better be sending your best to stand next to the captain.
Jack Viney
How many times and different ways can you call this guy a warrior? When Melbourne needs a hero, its Jack Viney turning up before the morning light. Strong and fast and fresh from the fight.
Viney kicked a steadying goal late in the third as Melbourne tried to withstand the Giants surge. He then won the ball at a critical contest midway through the fourth to deliver Chandler his second goal and keep the Demons’ hopes alive. Ultimately outmatched by the overwhelming numbers of the Giants midfield, Viney battled like you would expect him to, given his reputation.
Whitfield and Callaghan
Just absolute running machines. After the Demons had their hot start in the first quarter, it was Whitfield and Callaghan who took the game on from halfback and the through midfield and just continued to run straight at the Melbourne defensive structures. Asking them to make decisions on their positioning and pressure. Callaghan particularly was so clean compared to his teammates under pressure. Whitfield did what is expected of him and did get caught a few times, but you have to be willing to lose the game if you want your players to be willing to try and win it.
James Peatling
Honestly, I did not know much about Peatling coming into this fixture. Did GWS just clone a young Callan Ward?
Yes, they did.
The Melbourne midfield is not currently what it was, but Viney is still there, Gawn was back in tonight and Oliver is still fighting as well. Peatling was exceptional in the contest and his ferocity at the ball and player was awesome. Clearances, tackles and contested possessions all stuffed his stat sheet. That late rundown tackle was also the sort of stuff that shows the league and your teammates what sort of player you really are.
The Good Stuff:
Green Vs Oliver
Just loved this match-up for most of the night. Two stars going head-to-head. Green probably had the edge in the end, but it was Oliver’s best performance for some time.
Kieren Briggs:
Two great contests from Briggs to start the second quarter. Was a genuine factor to get some momentum going the way of the Giants. Made up ground late and got an important spoil on Max Gawn that led to the Giants first goal of the quarter, and then went to work at the next centre bounce and got lower and harder than Clayton Oliver to win the ball for the Giants.
Briggs then did it again in back-to-back centre ruck contests as part of the surge to break the game open for the Giants in the last quarter. Overall, Briggs took the points in this one, but it was a solid return for Gawn, who kicked a nice goal of his own, was important in Melbourne’s own late run to try ad steal the game and was rarely beaten in the air.
Melbourne Early Forward Pressure
The early work from the likes of Chandler, Pickett, Melksham and Co. was outstanding. Of course, their ability to finish around goal is first class, but early in the match, it was their supreme pressure and intensity in the Melbourne forward line that was the highlight. In the first quarter, nothing came easy for GWS when exiting their defence. It felt like every second defensive rebound was immediately rebounded itself. A rebounded rebound. A double rebound? Something like that. Anyway, it was impressive while it lasted.
Key Matchups
Really enjoyed the key position matchups at each end of the ground.
At one end, GWS enjoyed a pretty comfortable win. A solid return from Sam Taylor, well supported by Jack Buckley. Jacob van Rooyen and Harrison Petty couldn’t hit the scoreboard with any sort of impact. Petty did showcase some nice hands, but if you don’ put the score on the board, it doesn’t matter that much. Van Rooyen’s only goal came out of the ruck.
At the other end it was more interesting. May and Lever were controlling a the play and folding off to support McDonald. Riccardi was largely ineffective, but Hogan was able to get going. Most importantly, he got some one-on-one looks against McDonald which he capitalised on. It’s understandable, wanting to ensure May and Lever can roam and go third man up, but McDonald was beaten multiple times in a row, including during the Giants two bursts of goals which effectively won them the game.
The Not So Good Stuff:
Give the Hands!
GWS forced the turnover inside their forward fifty in the second quarter and the ball ended up with Harvey Thomas. Thomas was running into goal with only Jesse Hogan in front of him calling for a handball. Thomas didn’t give it. He strolled in, invited some pressure and then kicked the ball low at goal.
Directly into Hogan.
Hopefully, this is a moment to learn from for the young man. Team first! Glad to hear him own it after the game.
Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya?
It’s not just a broken record at this point, it’s broken, shattered, pieced back together and then melted and recycled as a Blu-ray. Saturday night in Melbourne. Season on the line. Where are the Demons fans??? Less than 20,000 to the MCG?
Sure, it was a bit cold, but you would think a supporter base known for their alpine exploits wouldn’t mind a bit of a chill. If only there was some sort of smaller or boutique stadium better suited for such a low drawing fixture as holding it at the MCG is an indictment.
The Other Stuff:
Is Steven May Umpired Differently?
A few times in this game, Demons fans believed May warranted a free kick for being held, blocked or illegally dealt with. However, none were forthcoming from the men in green. Perhaps May suffered at the expense of his own form of Jack Ginnivan syndrome? After a few incidents earlier in the year drew the attention of the media and fans, in which May exaggerated contact and the forcefulness of tackles, maybe he’s going to have really earn it before another umpire lets him suck them in to giving him a cheap one.
Brent Daniels
Daniels was having a real “almost” night until early in the last quarter. a few dropped marks and a couple missed targets and you could sense Daniels frustration. He was putting in the effort but just not capitalising on it. Then in a single minute n the last quarter it clicked. A quick crumbing ball that he collected in a single grab and a goal that curled beautifully. Then at the next centre bounce, a strong contested mark and deep kick inside-50 for a goal assist.
Kozzy Pickett
Leave the diving for the athletes in Paris. Otherwise, he had a very solid game. His pressure was great, and he worked hard for his teammates. He also makes the opposition nervous when he’s around, due to his physicality.
No Sub?
Poor Joe Fonti couldn’t get a single minute of playing time for the Giants in this game. Bloody rough stuff.
The Wrap:
Melbourne
Hard to see a path for Melbourne to make finals at this stage. Its not impossible, but it is difficult. Lose one game in their remaining four and they’re relying on other results to go their way just to squeak into 8th. It makes it a big fixture against the Bulldogs next Friday night; a team in a very similar position as themselves. And given the clubs’ shared recent history… did someone say grudge match? From there, it gets no easier. Port Adelaide, Gold Coast (At home. A different side up there) and then Collingwood to round out the season. With the way their season has developed it’s probably a mulligan for Melbourne this year.
GWS Giants
Another big test passed for the Giants. Their fifth interstate win for the year. This win firmly entrenches them in the top 8 and a serious crack at a top 4 spot with matches against both the Lions and Dockers on their run home. Although, they are far from secure as losses in those fixtures would put them right back on the brink, and with their other two fixtures being against Hawthorn next week and the Bulldogs in the final round in Ballarat (who may be playing for a spot in the finals), their run is very tough. They will earn a finals spot if they get one.. Given their recent form, they would have to be thinking they’re more likely to play finals than not, but it’s a crazy season.
