First quarter: Melbourne 4.1 (25) to Greater Western Sydney 4.1 (25)

Greater Western Sydney landed the first two goals of the match before Melbourne opened its account with four in a row.

Jeff Garlett, who kicked the red and blue’s first, booted two, while James Harmes and Jesse Hogan registered one each. Harmes pulled in a fantastic pack mark before converting.

But the Giants hit back with two in time-on to level the scores at quarter-time.

Second quarter: Melbourne 7.6 (48) to Greater Western Sydney 7.4 (46)

The second term was another even contest.

Both sides kicked three goals each, yet the Demons held a slight advantage at the main break, leading by two points. 

Hogan added his second for the match, while Jeremy Howe and Ben Newton booted their first each.

Third quarter: Melbourne 13.10 (88) to Greater Western Sydney 9.7 (61)

The Demons started the second half in positive fashion, booting the first two goals to claim a 17-point lead.

Skipper Nathan Jones got the ball rolling with the first major and former co-captain Jack Grimes backed up with his first soon after.

The Giants got back to within nine points in time-on, but when Newton booted two in a row and Hogan kicked his third after the siren, Melbourne led by 27 points at three quarter-time.

Final quarter: Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77)

The Giants kicked two of the first three goals of the final term to keep within reach.

But when retiring Demon Daniel Cross hit the deck and was taken from the ground via a motorised stretcher, play was held up and he was given a rousing applause. This halted the run in play and goals soon dried up.

Yet when Harmes kicked his second at the 25-minute mark, it sealed Melbourne’s seventh win of the season. In the end, the Demons won by 26 points.