Demon Michael Evans celebrates kicking one of his three last quarter goals against GWS. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun
IT took a club-record scoring spree for Melbourne players to deflect the crushing focus on coach Mark Neeld, for the time being anyway.
The last quarter smashing of Greater Western Sydney at the MCG was, remarkably, the first time one of the league's foundation clubs had kicked 12 goals in a quarter.
But, rather than dwell on stats, Demons fans would ponder why it had to come to that against the young, eager, but inexperienced Giants.
Neeld won't have endured a more harrowing couple of hours in his coaching career as he plotted feverishly to set up the structures that would eventually deliver the long overdue first win of the season for the Demons.
Jeered off the field after his address at three-quarter time, he could at least sit back and enjoy the last 10 minutes after substitute Aaron Davey slotted his second goal within four minutes to make the game safe.
Staring at a 19-point last-quarter deficit and poised to be the butt of embarrassing jokes all week, the Demons dug deep.
Still, it took until the 12-minute mark to grab back the lead for the first time since midway through the second quarter after a set shot from co-captain Jack Trengove.
And when spring-heeled forward Jeremy Howe steered through a goal from the junction of the boundary line and the 50m arc, there was no stopping the red and blue surge that overwhelmed the brave Giants.
Melbourne players celebrate the much-needed win over GWS. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun
Led by ruckman Mark Jamar and nut-hard onballer Nathan Jones, the Demons seized control in the midfield and enabled the run and overlap that led to them kicking an astonishing 12.2 in the last term.
"Honestly, I can't remember the message (at three-quarter time). We just knew we had to have a crack, put our head over (the ball), still keep running hard and still keep doing all the things you would do, even when you're in front," Jamar said.
"As the scoreboard suggested, we were very much in the game. We were up and about. I don't think we cleared the first one (centre bounce), but we stuck at it and eventually it went our way.
"All the planning you do during the week, that's when you can execute it. You just don't turn up on game day and hope it goes well. We would've been up in clearances in the last quarter and credit to the guys."
The question was whether Melbourne had the correct strategy from the start to take on the Giants' young legs in a shootout. Or whether they would have been better suited to use their experience and stronger bodies to lock down, particularly when GWS capitalised on fast breaks in the third term.
Melbourne's Jeremy Howe soars high above the pack. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Maybe the Demons weren't capable of such a disciplined defensive plan. And in the end they backed themselves to win the battle of minds and bodies.
So, did the prospect of defeat ever cross Jamar's mind?
"Nah, I know the belief was there for the whole four quarters. We had a few goals kicked against us, but we fought through it. Credit to the boys for sticking at it," he said.
Neeld made a crucial move by throwing Davey into the fray with his speed and evasive skills late in the third quarter. Davey and Michael Evans ran amok inside the forward 50 to contribute five goals of the deadly dozen in the lopsided final term.
Mark Neeld can rest easy knowing his job is safe for at least another week Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Melbourne was wasteful early, stricken by skill errors from players over-anxious to hit the scoreboard. At least the commitment was there, the desire to work hard when they didn't have the ball.
It was a nervous Sunday afternoon for long-suffering supporters who had watched their boys dominate in general play but fail to build a sizeable lead.
But eventually Melbourne's desperation helped bury the Giants, as emphasised by the Demons laying 83 tackles compared to their average of 48 in the first three rounds of the season.
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