Summary

IT WASN’T perfect, and at times not pretty, but Melbourne secured a crucial victory on Saturday afternoon, clinging on by five points against the Hawks.

With some rain early in the day, the ball was slippery and there were skill errors aplenty at the MCG.

While the Demons weren’t dominant all afternoon, they hit the front at the right time and held onto a thrilling win.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Harmes 31, Oliver 30, Hibberd, Salem 26, Brayshaw 21, Jones, Lockhart, Melksham 20

GOALS: Hunt 2, Brayshaw, Fritsch, Garlett, Harmes, Jones, Lockhart, McDonald, Neal-Bullen, Stretch

Awareness for BCNA

Melbourne continued its partnership with Breast Cancer Network Australia, wearing pink socks to raise awareness for the cause during its clash with Hawthorn.

Prior to the game there was a Mini Field of Women in Yarra Park, providing fans with an opportunity to pay their respects to those affected by breast cancer.

Keilty gets his chance

After 64 VFL games for the Casey Demons, Declan Keilty finally earned his call up. The 23-year-old received his red and blue jumper from his father in the rooms, following a speech that left Keilty’s new teammates in stitches.

The key forward didn’t seem too fazed by the pressure of the big stage, appearing nice and relaxed in the lead up, and comfortable on the field.

While Keilty only managed six disposals, he crashed contests all day and came up with a massive centre clearance in the final term which led to a match winning goal.

Sloppy first half

The skill level on display on Saturday wasn’t at its best, and after a tight tussle early, the Hawks booted three goals in five minutes to lead by 14 points at quarter-time.

Hawthorn arguably had the better of the first half, but the Dees did enough to stay in the game, trailing by a manageable nine points at the main break.

Third term momentum

Melbourne came out with a spark after half-time as the momentum in the game shifted.

Nathan Jones got his side going with a successful snap, as the Demons slotted four of the first five goals of the quarter to lead by as much as 19 points.

Jayden Hunt also showed there was plenty of feeling in the contest, getting involved in a fiery scuffle with James Sicily in the centre of the ground.

Regaining the lead

Hawthorn came hard at the Dees in the last quarter, nailing four consecutive goals to hit the front.

But when the challenge was mounted, Melbourne responded through Jay Lockhart and James Harmes to and come up with a gutsy victory.

Harmesy’s day out

After Jaeger O’Meara set the game alight in the opening quarter, Harmes was tasked with manning the star Hawk for the remainder of the afternoon.

And the 23-year-old was up for the challenge, nullifying O’Meara’s influence and finding the ball on 31 occasions himself, before threading through a clutch goal at the death.

Harmes’ day continued beyond the final siren as he celebrated with Jon – his No.1 fan – in the crowd post-game.

A word from Goody

“It was a great result full of resolve at the end,” Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media post-game.

“Obviously when we got challenged in the last quarter, to come back and get a result was outstanding.

“It was a step in the right direction, [but] there’s still a lot to work on.”

Looking ahead

Round 8 v Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium – Saturday, 11 May, 4:35pm AEST

Next Saturday’s clash with the Suns certainly won’t be easy. Gold Coast has improved significantly in 2019, winning three of their opening seven games and taking it up to the reigning premiers in Perth on the weekend.

Melbourne will have to be at its best as it travels to Metricon Stadium, looking to put together back-to-back wins.