Round 4 – Geelong V Melbourne

Demons Launch Two Comebacks But Third Time Proves Unlucky

Liam Chambers

Dees out of the blocks early but Cats finish term strongly

We’ve played some close games against Geelong in recent years, with Melbourne securing the chocolates in last season’s clash. While both sides have under preformed so far this year, the pressure was well and truly on the Demons to secure their first win of 2025.

It was a good start for Melbourne, when Christian Petracca issued a statement of intent as he curled a 25m snap to opening the scoring.

It took the Cats ten minutes to kick their first goal, and Jeremy Cameron took the honours, after he was awarded a free kick in the square. In a low scoring quarter, Geelong finally got their second when Patrick Dangerfield marked in the pocket and converted from 45m out.

With only a minute left to play, Dangerfield was once again involved in getting the ball up the ground. As the sherrin flew inside 50, late inclusion Rhys Stanley leapt up to take the mark, then scored from the set shot.

Demons struggle but remain competitive with mid quarter resurgence

Despite being evenly matched for the majority of the first term, the two late goals from Geelong, gave the hosts a fifteen point advantage at the start of second quarter.

Both sides had scoring opportunities in the first five minutes, but were unable to land the coup de grace, until veteran Patrick Dangerfield scooped up the ground ball and swivelled quickly to snap the ball over the heads of Harrison Petty and Shannon Neale; who were fighting it out on the goal line.

After the goal, the Demons were on the back foot as Geelong sought to press their advantage. Eventually it paid off when Jack Bowes’ banana kick from the pocket found the space between the posts, stretching the lead out to a worryingly twenty nine point margin in favour of the Cats.

At this stage, Melbourne fans would have been bracing themselves for yet another big loss. Christian Petracca had other ideas however, and when he marked a Bailey Fritsch kick in the left pocket, he made sure of the 45m set shot to claim his second goal, giving the true believers a much needed boost.

Jacob van Rooyen has yet to score multiple goals in a single game this season, but his set shot from just inside the arc drew his side closer to the Cats. It was almost back to back for the young ruck/forward but he just couldn’t hold to the chest mark in the goal square.

Then, down the other end, Sam DeKoning snapped in front of goal to claw one back for Geelong. Less than a minute later, Harvey Langford redressed the balance for the Demons with his impressive pickup and follow on kick from 40m.

Melbourne had a few more chances to score but were unable to capitalise, and the margin remained at fifteen points when half time siren sounded.

Melbourne fail to make the most of their opportunities

The Dees urgently needed to recapture the attacking frenzy that paid dividends in the latter half of the previous quarter, and also to prevent Geelong from taking control again.

Nothing seemed to be going Melbourne’s way for the first ten minutes, then an awkward kick by Bailey Fritsch from the wing to the centre of the ground bounced fortuitously for Jack Viney. The unorthodox tactic caught the Cats off guard, as did Kozzie Pickett’s brilliant kick to Daniel Turner, which was marked directly in front. Disco didn’t falter with his 20m set shot and now it was a ten point game.

The Dees looked in the ascendancy after Turner’s goal, but a series of mishaps let Geelong off the hook, and eventually an opportunity presented itself inside 50. Jack Bowes took advantage to of the situation to snap a goal from the pocket. Then Dangerfield marked 40m out and put the Cats ahead by twenty three points, claiming his hat trick in the process.

Just when it looked like Geelong had all the momentum, Pickett took an exceptional semi contested mark in the middle of the ground, and his kick to inside 50 eventually found its way to Ed Langdon. The midfielder ran on and snapped from the pocket, reeling the margin back in to seventeen points.

There were further chances for both teams, but a series of minor scores meant the margin was still a manageable sixteen points at three quarter time.

Geelong accelerate to the finish line

Final quarters haven’t been kind to Melbourne in recent times, but when Bailey Fritsch took an impressive contested mark in the third minute of play, it felt like it could be the launching pad for another exciting comeback. Unfortunately the set shot proved disappointing.

Five minutes later Shannon Neale made sure of his own set shot, and hopes of a Demon victory started to fade. Soon afterwards, a 20m snap from Shaun Mannagh put a potential win further out of reach for the visitors.

With just over seven minutes remaining, Tyson Stengle sealed the deal for Geelong with his 35m set shot from the pocket. Stengel got another chance when he marked to the left of the goal square. Then, to make sure he didn’t miss, the Umpire awarded him a 50m penalty.

There’s no way of sugar coating Melbourne’s performance. It was our lowest score since Round 16 of the 2023 season. It’s also our worst start to a season in thirteen years. Unless we turn things around quickly, we will struggle to make the finals again this year.

On the positive side we did play well for periods in the first three terms, but our inefficiency in front of goal is deeply concerning.

Having said that, each new game is an opportunity to redeem ourselves. We face Essendon in the Gather Round, so let’s get the job done in Adelaide.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 3 – Melbourne V Gold Coast Suns

Suns Play A Scorcher At MCG

Liam Chambers

Gold Coast looks impressive

The Suns have been threatening to be a finals side for a few seasons now but their record away from home is not good; just two wins on the road last year. They would have been buoyed by their victory over the West Coast Eagles in Perth last week, but Melbourne at the MCG would be a much tougher gig.

Initially the signs were good for the Demons. Max Gawn almost had the opening goal, but his shot veered to the right. Up the other end Will Graham was gifted a 50m penalty and had no problem slotting the goal. Then Jed Walter was the beneficiary of another 50m penalty, and he struck it cleanly from just outside the arc.

By now the Suns were looking very comfortable and threatening to take control. Melbourne wasn’t letting go that easily though, and made some good plays but was unable to land that crucial first goal. It finally came when Jake Bowey took a mark 60m out, then ran on before launching from the arc to put his side on the board.

The Dees struggled to build on their momentum after the goal, with a series of fumbles and bad disposals which presented Gold Coast with another scoring chance. John Noble didn’t waste the opportunity. The deeper into the quarter, the more the visitors looked to be dominating play in all areas. When Bailey Humphrey kicked through the pack at the top of the square, it was four goals for the Suns.

Suns dominate quarter but Melbourne hold on to stay in the game

Melbourne needed to wrest back some control at the start of the second term and though they prevented Gold Coast from kicking any more goals, they were unable to add to their own tally. That was until Jake Melksham took a contested mark inside 50 and converted his 45m set shot. Unfortunately, the Suns response was immediate, and they were straight back inside 50, where Noah Anderson snapped the ball from 48m to stretch the advantage back out to eighteen points.

The Demons continued to play hard and fast but were unable to make the most of their scoring opportunities. Luckily, Gold coast was having the same problem with the gap remaining at eighteen points as the clock ticked down to half time. In fact with both main goal kickers in Ben King and Bailey Fritsch missing late in the term, Melbourne actually won the quarter by a single point.

Suns take control but Dees launch late attack

After half time the Suns continued to dominate field position leaving Melbourne to react to the pressure placed on their defence. The Dees were able to keep Gold Coast at bay but were unable to launch a counter attack. Luckily Ben King was having one of his off days, where he couldn’t find the space between the uprights, therefore allowing Melbourne to stay in touch.

Then against the run of play, the Dees got their third goal when Harry Sharp, despite an agonisingly slow build up, snapped from 30m to send the ball sailing over the line.

At this stage, a win looked very achievable for Melbourne, but a series of fumbles resulted in Touk Miller marking in the pocket and slotting the set shot. Demon fans have reason to be aggrieved though, as a certain foul on Jack Billings was ignored by the Umpire, allowing Gold Coast to continue playing on the edge of the 50m arc. Miller had back to back goals when awarded a free kick in the opposite pocket a few minutes later, having no problem with the execution. 

After the bounce, Gold Coast again wasted no time charging back down the ground, where Ben King was waiting to take the mark. This time he decided to take no chances with set shots, instead dropping the ball before tapping it along the goal square and across the line. In the space of five minutes, we went from looking competitive to conceding three goals and now struggling to contain the resurgent Suns.

Further adding to Melbourne’s pain, King again marked to the right of goal and finally rediscovered his set shot mojo.  Shortly after, Jarrod Witt took a contested mark at the top of the square. His successful set shot extended his side’s lead to forty three points.

Melbourne needed to find some answers quickly and for a moment it seemed that they had clawed one back when Jack Henderson’s set shot looked to have found the mark; the review found otherwise, and the goal was disallowed. There was no doubt about Harry Sharp’s effort though when he chipped a goal from the edge of the square. The brief burst of Melbourne momentum quickly dissipated however when Gold Coast won the hitout and raced goalward. A series of fumbles resulted in Lachie Weller snapping from 25m out and restoring their forty two point advantage.

Christian Petracca decided he’d had enough, and when he received the ball inside 50, ran on and launched skyward and through uprights, giving the Demon fans reason to still believe. When Kade Chandler launched a missile from 55m to secure his second of the afternoon, we dared to dream of a comeback that people would tell their grandchildren about. Jake Melksham almost added a third but just couldn’t get the correct angle with his attempt.

Then the cruelest blow of all. Will Graham’s kick as the siren sounded resulted in a goal that was deemed legit by the goal umpire. I’ve watched that kick several times and I can’t see how the goal was awarded. It certainly helped to take the wind out of Melbourne’s sails and brought their new found momentum to a shuddering halt.

Suns unassailable in final term

The odds were already against a Melbourne victory as the sides took to the field for the fourth quarter, but Touk Miller’s set shot goal in the fifth minute put paid to any lingering hopes of a Demon win. It also didn’t help that our efficiency in front of goal left a lot to be desired.

Gold Coast kept their foot on the accelerator and continued attacking. Then Sam Flanders got his name on the scoreboard with a 40m snap. Ben King was well and truly over his set shot jitters when he steered 15m kick through to the back of the net.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though. Harvey Langford’s bullet from the 50m line was a late highlight for Melbourne.

Ethan Read then took a contested mark in front of goal and made sure with the set shot, making it fifty two points in favour of the Suns. Ben King was awarded a free kick in front after being held and he had his fourth of the afternoon.

Jacob van Rooyen has yet to hit the heights of previous years but his contested mark in the pocket and his cleanly executed 50m set shot reminded fans of his potential to cause damage to the opposition. Sadly, as seemed to happen all game, Gold Coast hit back immediately when Ben Long snuck one in with thirty seconds remaining.

Still there is good news. In Round 2 we were beaten by fifty nine points, but in Round 3 we were only beaten by fifty eight points. It’s small progress, but progress nonetheless. Maybe being 0-3 for the start of the season will motivate us when we take on Geelong in Round 4. 

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Winning and losing

Nigel Dawe

IT’S with more than a tinge of disappointment, frustrated dismay, and pure anger that I’ve wrangled this piece together. The cause of which has nothing whatsoever to do with our first three games. Yes, we have three bold L’s in our results column (the last two of which were certainly not great), but that’s life, and for the life of me I can’t understand the bozos – whether they don red and blue scarves or not – who rant their pea brain views and frustrations at players and coaches, like they could do, or have ever done, any better.

I’m glad I wasn’t at any of these games, only because I would’ve been far too disheartened by the antics of those within our ranks who just can’t take defeat on the chin, and simply move on in a dignified fashion.

I think I’ve made mention before, when our side is down, we need to adopt a ‘having sick relative’ mentality, that being the kind that shows support (which is ironically the key concept, not to mention driving verb behind the word – Supporter). The most appropriate response when a loved one has come down with something: is actually being there for them. If your child broke their arm this afternoon you wouldn’t go charging into the hospital to berate them for it, would you? Because people of substance don’t ever turn on one-another, they simply keep on turning up, and they hang in there – rain, hail or shine.

We’re better than this, much, much better than this! It broke my heart watching footage of a so-called Melbourne fan launch some kind of nasty-toned tirade at Max as he departed the field against North the other day, and the disappointed look on his face as he ever-so briefly snuck a peek at the clown who made it, will stick with me for a very long time. I just wanted to give our big seven-times All Australian a hug, and a good old-fashioned punch in the arm for luck.

Those of us who genuinely live and breathe this club have your back, it’s great to win, but that’s not why any of us should ever commit to causes like this; having tunnel visioned expectations that we will win – week-in, week-out (after having enjoyed such a purple period of success) is something that only fuels and enflames such vulgar responses to defeat. None other than Sir Winston Churchill once said, “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” And while it comes across as mirth, it is actually meant in all seriousness: that being the most potent, unconquerable seriousness of all – the kind that is roused, and then truly rallied through the aid and force of enthusiasm.

Relatedly, I remember reading a comment by triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton, about his tenure at Melbourne as coach in the mid-70s, and how after having lost his first 8 games as coach (after the team had already lost the last 10 of the previous season) he was booed off the MCG, but club secretary Jim Cardwell bolstered his spirits by saying: “Bob, I don’t know if this will help, but I do remember them hooting Norm Smith off the ground one day too.” In the same interview, Skilton also made mention of what he best remembered about Smithy, and how our coach of the Century would ‘always preach’ – “Lose with dignity, win with respect for the opposition.”

It’s funny, I’ve often thought, none of us would ever dream of ‘correcting’ a brain surgeon on their performance or technique: “Say, you should have inserted your scalpel more to the left on your last incision, would’ve helped enormously – so just make sure that’s your approach next time!” Perhaps it has to do with surgical procedures being done behind closed doors, as ‘opposed’ to sport being performed in full view of an audience, I don’t know. But having faith and trust in those that are best placed to undertake what they are trained and hand-picked to do, is always a good place to start.

Round 2: North Melbourne v Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Dees surprised by the intensity and skill level of North

Last week’s narrow loss was disappointing as we were so close to victory, but the team’s performance was extremely encouraging. I have a niggling feeling though that we allowed ourselves to become too complacent when taking on last year’s wooden spoon runners up.

As soon as the ball was bounced, North was straight out of the middle and making a beeline for their goal. Nick Larkey was waiting with open hands to mark the uncontested sherrin and converted to open the scoring.

The visitors tried the same trick again, after the second centre bounce, but this time the Demons had a lucky break and eventually took control of the ball.

Melbourne were under siege early as the Roos continuing to attack its defensive 50.

Then, against the run of play, Jacob van Rooyen kicked a superb 35m around the corner set shot from deep in the pocket.

Despite doing the lion’s share of the attacking, North was still only five points ahead as they approached the halfway mark of the opening term. There were close calls but no majors.

Melbourne was making the most of their infrequent scoring opportunities as they presented themselves and when Jack Henderson marked just inside 50, he struck it cleanly to give his side the lead.

Unfortunately, North Melbourne were not playing like a team that was there to make up the numbers, again winning the hitout and streaming goalwards. This time they handpassed amongst themselves until Jy Simpkin marked in the pocket, then slotted the set shot.

Showing no intention to lessen the pressure on Melbourne, the Roos continued to control the territory, ultimately adding to their tally when Paul Curtis tapped one across the line.

By now, the alarm bells would have been sounding in the Demons camp about how North was playing and what we could do to turn our fortunes around.

When Kade Chandler was awarded a 50m penalty that gifted him a 15m kick in front of goal, it helped settle the home side’s nerves and reduced the deficit back to six points.

While North was making few mistakes in defence or attack, Melbourne were now struggling to exert their own pressure.

As the clocked ticked down to quarter time, we needed to show much more desperation if we were to get back to playing the game on our terms.

There was some encouraging signs but our goal kicking accuracy seemed to have temporarily deserted us.

When we did find the back of the net, the rejoicing was short lived as Tom Sparrow’s valiant effort was deemed touched off the boot.

All was not lost however, as Bailey Fritch’s mark in the dying seconds was judged to be legit and the high scoring forward made short work of his set shot to give the Demons a six point advantage at quarter time.

Roos take the lead

At the start of the second term, it appeared that Melbourne was giving their opponents more respect but our game still lacked the ferocity of the Roos.

Eventually, North converted one of their set shots chances when Luke Parker scored his debut goal for his new club.

It was two milestones in a row when Jacob Konstanty scored his first AFL goal to give the Roos a ten points advantage.

Thankfully North’s momentum was arrested when Clayton Oliver snapped one off his left boot, from 40m out, to claw one back for the Dees.

We were unable to build on our own momentum though, as North desperately chased down any effort by Melbourne to get close to goal.

Even when Daniel “Disco” Turner spotted an opportunity to take down Caleb Daniel and was awarded with a 25m set shot, his shot was deemed by the review to have scraped the upright. Where’s our luck?

No such worries for Kade Chandler when his 30m set shot was spot on, returning the lead to the Demons.

After the bounce it looked like Melbourne had turned a corner when Max Gawn won the ball, then ran alongside Tom Sparrow who handpassed to the Captain as the big fella charged forward. Max crossed the arc and launched from 40m. The ball wouldn’t fly straight though, and it was only a minor score.

As is so often the case, the opposition then sprinted back up the other end. Inside the arc, Nick Larkey was manhandled and awarded a free kick but the Roos played on to advantage, and Tom Powell snapped from 20m to restored North’s lead.

When Jack Darling kicked the next goal while loitering around the square, half time couldn’t come soon enough for the Dees.

In fact time appeared to be standing still as the Roos made yet another incursion inside Melbourne’s defensive 50. As the ball floated towards the square, Cameron Zurhaar went for the mark but was deemed to have been pushed and duly awarded the free. He didn’t miss with his 20m set shot and two goals separated the sides at half time.

Dees fightback but North consolidate their lead

It just wasn’t going to be Melbourne’s day. Five minutes into the second half and Jack Darling took a mark just inside the arc. His 50m set shot fell short but was marked by Tristan Xerri. The big Ruckman slotted from point blank range to extend North’s lead to eighteen points.

We’ve struggled for a while when it comes to making the most of our incursions inside 50, often falling at the final hurdle.

Fortunately when Daniel Turner marked the ball deep in the pocket he easily converted, from a tight angle, to bring Melbourne’s deficit back to twelve points.

Unfortunately North’s response was almost immediate when Cameron Zurhaar marked almost directly in front. The 20m set shot was a doddle for the forward and it was back to eighteen in favour of the hosts.

A minute later it was Melbourne’s turn again when Christian Petracca was held while attempting to mark the ball. His 45m shot was perfect and it back to twelve again.

The next goal was the result of a few basic mistakes on the edge of the arc, which culminated in Colby McKercher kicking his first goal in AFL. Back to eighteen.

That’s the way it stayed until three quarter time, despite some valiant efforts by the Demons.

Murder on the Kangaroo Express

Much as it pained me, and it did pain, I rewatched the fourth quarter. Sadly it was as traumatic as the first viewing but at least this time there were no surprises.

Paul Curtis started the carnage in the opening minute when he was awarded a free kick in front of goal. His 20m kick was accurate and the lead was out to twenty four points.

Then the centre bounce and the Roos were back inside 50, where Nick Larkey took a contested mark in the pocket. Thirty points ahead.

Another centre bounce and Larkey had his hat trick after snapping from 15m in front. Thirty six in front after three goals in three minutes.

At this point, I thought about tuning out but I soldiered on.

There was a short respite before Zurhaar took a contested mark 20m in front to claim his own hat trick.

Another mark inside 50 and another hat trick when Paul Curtis made sure of his 30m set shot.

The bloodshed continued when Zurhaar was able to gather up the ground ball and somehow find enough space in a sea of players to snap a right footer from 35m.

All hope had long since been abandoned but there was one ray of sunshine which managed to break through the haze. Kade Chandler took a brilliant mark just inside the arc. His set shot was perfectly executed and the margin was back under 50 points.

It was too late for a miracle win but maybe we could string a few more goals together and arrest our plummeting percentage.

Alas, that was our highlight for the term and North continued to add insult to injury with two more goals before the final siren.

First, Jack Darling marked and converted from 45m out, then Bailey Scott hammered one in from just outside 50 to complete a catastrophic afternoon for the Demons.

For now, all we can do is try and put the experience behind us and focus on redemption in Round 3. Let’s land our first win of the season against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG!

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 1 – Melbourne V GWS

Liam Chambers

Demons keep their cool as Giants surge

After a traumatic second half to the 2024 season, where we only won four out of twelve games, expectations of victory against a highly fancied Giants side were tempered to say the least. When Simon Goodwin announced his side for the Round 1 match, those expectations were further reduced. Six debutants and no Steven May! The gamble almost paid off though, and fans were left with a feeling that our future may be brighter than we previously dared to hope.

The Demons opened the scoring after only twenty five seconds when Matthew Jefferson crumbed the ball from a Jacob van Rooyen tap down and slotted it from 15m metres out.

Four minutes later Aaron Cadman almost took a mark close to the goal square but still managed to get a boot to the favourably bouncing sherrin, steering it across the line. Having assisted in the Giant’s first goal, Toby Greene got one for himself when he was given way too much space in front of goal. His mark and conversion from 15m out, gave his side a five point advantage. Jacob Wehr made it three in a row for the visitors when his round the corner snap from 30m out landed in the square and bounced across the line.

Melbourne was under some major pressure, with an orange tsunami threatening to overwhelm their defensive half. 

Cool heads prevailed however and eventually the Dees’ got their second, when another debutant Jack Henderson, seized the moment to make the most of a lucky bounce to tap the ball home.

Welcome back Tracca

At the start of the second term, neither side looked to have the advantage and they appeared quite evenly matched. Then a rejuvenated Christian Petracca, doing what he does best, pounced on the loose ball and launched from 30m to send it high and through the uprights.

The signs were good for Melbourne fans. Their side looked hungry and willing to play and tackle hard, running down their opponents when the opportunity presented. GWS is an impressive side but the Demons were equal to the task. Importantly the Giants were finding it difficult to locate the space between the uprights. Melbourne refusing to make it easy for them.

Then Harry Sharp became the third Debutant to score a goal for his new club when he found himself unguarded in the goal square and tapped the loose ball over the line. A minute later and Petracca had his second of the quarter when he gather up the ground ball and snapped it in from the edge of the square.

Not to be outdone, GWS’s number five Aaron Cadman took a mark on the behind line, then curled the set shot through the posts. Just before half time, Stephen Coniglio kicked an opportunistic goal from 10m to level the numbers.  After the bounce, Toby Greene was a awarded a dubious free kick in front of goal by leaving his arm on Harrison Petty, making it look like he was being held. The Ref agreed and Greene had his second goal.

Melbourne seize the momentum

Though trailing by seven at the start of the second half, the Dees wasted no time in reducing that deficit to a single point when Caleb Windsor burst out of the centre, before launching from just outside the arc to put his name on the scoreboard. Incredibly the Demons had two goals in thirty seconds after Petracca exploded out of the circle, before handpassing to Tom Sparrow. The midfielder then snapped a bullet from just inside the arc and drilled it through the uprights. 

Then, another minute later Max Gawn’s set shot from 60m sailed towards the goal square where it was punched out to a waiting Jake Bowey. The defender marked and then snapped the ball over the line. There was a review of the goal to determine whether the ball had been touched, but the footage was inconclusive and the Dees were ahead by eleven points.

Stephen Coniglio clawed one back for the Giants when he gathered up the ground ball and snapped an around the corner kick. Jacob van Rooyen had kept a low profile for much of the afternoon but when he saw the ball land in the square, he pounced straightaway and tapped it into the open goal.

The next goal was even more opportunistic, when another debutante Aiden Johnson ripped the ball off defender Jack Buckley, then turned and snapped it through by the barest of margins. Melbourne was now seventeen points ahead and looking to be in total control.

Unfortunately, we were unable to retain the momentum and GWS reduced the deficit to ten points, when Coniglio got his hat trick after he tapped the ball in from 20m.
After that goal, the rains came down but the scoring dried up, despite Petracca’s best efforts to claim his own hat trick.

Giants claim victory in the dying seconds

The signs were good for Melbourne heading into the final term, but experience tells us that we faltered many times last season when the fourth quarters proved to be our undoing.

Sure enough, Tom Green closed the gap to five points within the first minute, when his banana snap from 40m evaded the touch of Jake Lever, whose leap on the goal line was optimistic but ultimately futile. After the goal, GWS went up a gear and threw everything at the Dees’ defence.

Despite the Giants control of territory, Melbourne was able to let the visitors know that we were still in the game, when Jefferson kicked his second after marking inside 50 and then slotting the 45m set shot. The visitors kept chipping away at Melbourne’s lead but with ten minutes remaining, we were still looking good.

Then the player everybody loves to hate, Toby Greene, got himself into the perfect position to mark the ball on the arc before running on and snapping from 40m. It was a great goal but devastating form Demons fans, as our advantage was cut to two points.

When Aiden Johnson marked in the pocket, Melbourne fans everywhere held their collective breath. Sadly the shot veered to the right for a minor score.

Predictably, the ball went straight up the other end and was marked in the pocket by Lachlan Keeffe; coincidentally, in a very similar spot to Johnson’s attempt. As some of the home spectators covered their eyes to the impending tragedy taking place on the field, Keeffe went back and slotted the 40m set shot.

Though the ending was heartbreaking, Demons can be justifiably proud of their players on the day. We fought hard and deserved the win but that’s footy folks.

Next up we travel to Marvel stadium to face North Melbourne. If we play as well as we did against the Giants, then we will come away victorious.