Round 12 – Melbourne v St Kilda

Demons All At Sea In The Dry Centre

Liam Chambers

St Kilda own the first quarter after a slow start

With five wins from the last six games, Melbourne has made its mark as one of the inform teams in the competition. A win against the struggling Saints would put us inside the top ten and set us up for the more difficult match against table toppers Collingwood next week. It was a perfect start when Bailey Fritsch took an uncontested mark and converted the 50m set shot.

The Dees were looking good early on, with a few chances to extend their lead, but it was St Kilda who kicked the next major, when Max Hall found himself with plenty of space behind the Melbourne defence. He took an uncontested mark and played on, tapping the ball from the top of the square and across the line.

The goal had an instant inspirational effect on the Saints. After winning the hitout, St Kilda headed straight back towards goal, where Isaac Keeler took a hand pass from one the pack of players on the ground. His quick turn and snap gave the visitors they’re second six pointer in less than a minute. Dan Butler was deemed held at the top of the square and his subsequent set shot gave his side a thirteen point lead. Suddenly it was all Saints.

St Kilda’s next goal was messy and chaotic but they got the job done when, after many fumbles and drops, Isaac Keeler took a hand pass on the edge of the line and snapped through the ballWhen Tobie Travaglia snapped one from 20m, the Saint had five in a row and were twenty five points in front. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, Max Hall kicked a second when he launched from 40m.
Jake Melksham clawed one back right on the siren, when his 45m set shot from deep in the pocket sailed through, reducing the margin to four goals even.

Demons launch comeback, stumble, then relaunch

The Saints started the second with the wind at their backs, metaphorically speaking. Melbourne needed to put early goals on the board, but it was St Kilda who kicked the first when Hunter Clark’s hopeful snap from 15m just managed to cross the line.

Despite all of the Demons’ defensive pressure, they only added three minor scores for the first ten minutes of the term.

Then Christian Petracca took a mark inside 50 and made sure with the 45m set shot. When Kade Chandler made it three in a row with his running snap from 20m in front, it looked like the Dees were on track to take back control from St Kilda.

Melbourne had a couple of scoring opportunities but the accuracy hoodoo that has afflicted the Dees for a long time was again rearing its unwelcomed head.

Unfortunately, accuracy was not a problem for the Saints. Dan Butler marked the ball at the top of the square, then had little problem chipping it through from directly in front.
Butler next found himself in an almost identical position when he again took a mark and kicked the goal from point blank range.

After all Melbourne’s hard work, they found themselves two points worse off than they were at quarter time. Tracca decided he’d had enough, and when presented with a scoring opportunity, he launched from 52m to reduce the deficit to twenty points. Harry Sharp almost made it back to back for the Dees, but his excellent shot hit the post for another minor score. Aiden Johnson’s set shot from the pocket was on target though and his effort made it a thirteen point game.

Melbourne unable to capitalise on their opportunities

Both sides started the second half with the best of intentions but the space between the uprights was proving elusive for all concerned. The Dees seem to be having the best of the play though.

Just as Melbourne looked to be taking control, Brad Hill decided to kick a difficult 48m set shot from the pocket.

Harrison Petty kept the Dees in the running with his around the corner snap set shot, making it a two goal game. Then it looked like Xavier Lindsay was about to kick his first AFL goal, but the accuracy jinx struck again and the ball went behind for another minor score.

Dan Butler’s new best friend was the top of the square when he scored his fourth after collecting the ground ball, then turning and snapping from 10m out. Margin back out to seventeen.

Dees throw everything at St Kilda, but the visitors lead only mounts

It seemed to be a perfect start for Melbourne when we won the hitout and Daniel Turner ran out to take the mark. Disappointedly he hooked the shot and the minor scores continued to build up.
Less than a minute later, Jake Melksham had a free kick awarded for interference on his attempted mark. Again the ball veered right.

Up the other end Mitch Owens ran out to mark before converting to stretch the lead out to twenty one points.

Xavier Lindsay was left to continue the search for his maiden AFL goal after his latest attempt drifted left. Tom Sparrow’s set shot from 52m fell short and was rushed behind.
As the seconds continued to tick down, the finish line appeared further away than ever.

Then Isaac Keeler’s round the corner set shot gave the young forward his hat trick and effectively sealed Melbourne’s fate.

Judd McVee and Christian Salem each had a scoring shot in the final minutes but sadly, it was not to be. Caleb Windsor’s effort was on target but was touched on the line.

In the end, St Kilda took their chances and Melbourne was left to rue what could have been. Our inaccuracy in front of goal has haunted us for a long time and I don’t know what can be done to remedy this problem. Our game is strong and the players are talented, but the lack of confidence in front of goal is really hurting us.

We will be the underdogs again for our game against Collingwood. Like our performance against Brisbane in Round 10, the pressure is off. When that happens, don’t rule anything out.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!