Round Nine
Sunday, May 20, 1:10pm
Carlton v Melbourne, MCG (away)

First quarter: Melbourne 3.4 (22) to Carlton 3.1 (19)

It was goal for goal in the opening term, with Melbourne taking a three-point lead into the first change.

Melbourne got the first for the day, via Jake Melksham at the 10-minute mark, while Bayley Fritsch and Tom McDonald also kicked truly.

The Demons wasted some opportunities in front of goal, finishing the term with seven scoring shots to four.

Melbourne also had double the inside 50s with 16 to eight.

And when Harry McKay kicked his second goal after the quarter-time siren – courtesy of a 50-metre penalty against Max Gawn – the Blues also had three majors on the board.

Second quarter: Melbourne 10.4 (64) to Carlton 5.3 (33)

The goal-for-goal trend ended in the second term when Melbourne opened with four in a row. 

Jack Viney, playing his first AFL match since round 21 last year, due to a serious foot injury, gave the red and blue faithful plenty to cheer about when he got the run going. And when Christian Petracca followed up, and T.McDonald booted his second and third, Melbourne led by 26 points.

Zac Fisher landed Carlton’s first for the quarter at the 19-minute mark, but Melbourne quickly replied through Alex Neal-Bullen and Melksham, who landed his second.

Patrick Cripps bobbed up with the Blues’ second in time-on, but when T.McDonald answered with his fourth, the Demons took a 31-point advantage into half-time.

Clayton Oliver had 14 disposals by half-time and Petracca had 13 touches. Blue Nick Graham had the most by the main break with 15 possessions. 

Third quarter: Melbourne 18.6 (114) to Carlton 7.6 (48)

Melbourne ended any thought of a Carlton comeback when it piled on six goals in the opening 12 minutes of the term.

During this period, Melksham kicked two, Neal-Bullen claimed a couple, Fritsch added one and Max Gawn secured his first to give the Demons a 68-point lead.

Lamb ended the streak when he booted Carlton’s first for the term – and his second for the game – but when James Harmes and Nathan Jones opened their account, Melbourne was up by 73 points.

Marc Murphy posted Carlton’s second for the term just before three quarter-time, meaning Melbourne went into the final change with a 66-point lead.

It was an outstanding quarter by the Demons, as they booted eight goals to two.

Final quarter: Melbourne 25.9 (159) d Carlton 7.8 (50)

Melbourne continued to dominate in the final term, adding another seven goals to zip. 

In the end, the Demons won by a whopping 109 points – an outstanding achievement.

Melksham booted his fifth and Neal-Bullen notched up his third to achieve career-best hauls.

Mitch Hannan also got in on the act, booting two for the term, while Clayton Oliver and Jesse Hogan kicked one each. Gawn added his second for the match.

Jones finished with an equal game-high 31 disposals, along with Cripps. Jake Lever was next best for Melbourne with 27 touches.