Melbourne Demons end Geelong Cats' unbeaten start with big AFL win at MCG
Bayley Fritsch’s likely AFL goal of the year has helped Melbourne secure a gritty eight-point win, ending Geelong’s perfect start to the season.
The 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (66) win on Saturday night at the MCG is a significant boost to Melbourne’s bona fides and takes them to 6-2, while the Cats are 7-1.
Melbourne kicked five goals to three in the last term, a stark contrast to the goalless second term that featured nine behinds.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Cats star Jeremy Cameron, who has been in such strong form this season, missed two straightforward set shots in the last quarter, including the last score of the game.
Cameron and fellow Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins kicked 0.4 between them - Cameron also kicked another behind in the last term and three for the game - with Melbourne key defenders Steven May, Jake Lever and Tom McDonald all excellent.
Melbourne led by three points with three minutes left, when a long ball from Christian Petracca looked like rolling out of bounds as Fritsch ran after it.
His opponent Jack Henry eased up in pursuit and Fritsch pounced, somehow dribbling through his third goal - and the last of the game - from deep in the pocket.
Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver and Geelong’s Max Holmes had 31 disposals apiece, while Ollie Henry kicked three goals for the Cats.
The Demons kicked the last two goals of the opening term to hold a four-point lead and then everyone’s radar went missing.
There were 14 consecutive behinds from 21 minutes in the first quarter until five minutes into the third, when Kade Chandler finally broke the goal drought from his set shot.
That sparked a rush of goals, with Melbourne twice going 14 points ahead.
But Geelong kicking four to two in the term for a two-point lead at the last change.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn was floored in the third term when Rhys Stanley caught him with a leg to his head at a ball-up.
Gawn looked dazed as he lay on the ground, but he took the next centre bounce.
He gave Melbourne back the lead two minutes into the final term when he kicked a booming goal from outside 50m.
Geelong onballer Taylor Bruhn was subbed out with a shoulder injury.
