MELBOURNE 10.14 (74) d GEELONG 9.12 (66)
KEY POINTS
DEES THE REAL DEAL
They may not play the prettiest game, and can make a lot of head-scratching blues, but Melbourne are the real deal. The Demons became the first team to topple Geelong this year, establishing themselves as a genuine premiership contender along the way. There is little wonder the Demons theme song was sung with such gusto in the rooms for this was one of the most significant victories of the season. In a game worthy of a final, not necessarily in standard but intensity, the Dees were headed by the Cats in the third and fourth quarters but found a way to salute the judge.
Their best players stood up when it counted. Max Gawn was excellent, draining a clutch goal early in the last, ending a run of three in a row for the Cats. Steven May and Jake Lever held firm in defence, as they needed to in a game set up to ensure defence ruled. The big moment came with three minutes left on the clock – and the margin at three points – when Bayley Fritsch was rewarded for daring to win. Hemmed in on the pocket, Fritsch’s percentage play would have been to play for a boundary throw-in. Instead, Fritsch is now the clubhouse leader for goal of the year. With Jack Henry in pursuit, Fritsch dribbled one off the outside of his left boot, the ball gaining sufficient purchase in the dewy conditions to slide left to right.
CAMERON’S OFF NIGHT
Those who believe Nick Daicos is the best player in the competition have had a good weekend. A night after the Collingwood son of a gun inspired his team to a stirring victory, Jeremy Cameron endured a rare off night as Geelong succumbed to their first defeat of the year. Last week, there was no better play on the park than Cameron, but against the Demons he was reduced to a mere mortal, held goalless and limited to 15 disposals. His forward partner Tom Hawkins also did not kick a goal.
In match which for long periods was crying out for class, Cameron had his chance to be the game breaker but missed two golden chances late in the game to reel in the Demons. Twice, Cameron had set shots from about 40 metres out but failed to split the big sticks. It is a reminder that even the best players in the league can have moments where they do not step up to the plate.
HAWKINS’ SLUMP
Next week, Tom Hawkins will equal Joel Selwood’s record for the most games played for Geelong. He will also head to the milestone without a goal in his past four matches – the first time this has happened in the career of one of the finest players to wear the hoops. Admittedly, this dour game was not one for marking forwards, but Hawkins was rarely sighted. His opponent, Steven May, was one of the most influential players on the field with 13 marks in his 25 possessions. This is not to death ride Hawkins or to put heat on his spot in the Cats side. There is not a coach in the league who would dare put his number two defender on Hawkins, who makes life easier for Ollie Henry and affords Chris Scott the luxury of playing Jeremy Cameron up the ground.