A Max Gawn-inspired Melbourne outfit has kept their perfect record alive in 2022, securing a 10-point win over a gritty Hawthorn side at the MCG.
It’s the closest win of the Demons’ season so far in 2022, such has been their dominance this year, however the men in red and blue always seemed to have the Hawks' measure.
The game was a danger one on paper for the Demons coming into Saturday afternoon, missing five key players through the AFL’s health and safety protocols along with head coach Simon Goodwin.
If Demons fans were worried before the game, they were even more so when the Hawks exploded out of the blocks with the first five scores of the game, including two majors.
Despite the hot start, Gawn’s troops remained unfazed and after a mini-comeback to enter the first break just two points down, Melbourne controlled the second and third quarters.
They opened up a game-high 33-point lead late in the third term, but the plucky Hawks showed heart beyond their years to come hard towards the end of the game, Jacob Koschitzke’s fourth goal just before the final siren almost reducing the margin to single figures.
The Demon’s win continues assistant coaches' unbeaten record in 2022, Adam Yze making his senior coaching debut in Goodwin’s absence.
As has been throughout the season to date, the Dees just had a class edge on their opponents, Melbourne AFLW star Daisy Pearce remarking at the team’s ability to keep winning.
“They did the job, that’s the perfect way to put it,” Pearce told AFL Nation post-game.
“They just find a way to bank wins at the moment.
“At times they’re not blasting the opposition off the park, but they just have a 10-15 minute patch here and there that does the job.
“And to do it with five ins and five outs… it’s an amazing show of their depth and their confidence.”
While it was again a team performance, the result could well have been reversed if not for the presence of captain Gawn.
The Melbourne ruckman had a remarkable 29 possessions in the absence of Luke Jackson, while he also racked up 34 hitouts and two goals.
Hawks big man Max Lynch had few answers for Gawn around the ground, the Melbourne skipper kicking two bombs from outside 50 before saluting the crowd with a finger waggle on both occasions.
Ben Brown was also influential for the Demons and led Melbourne’s goal-scoring, nailing four goals and as a dominant figure in the club’s forward line.
Meanwhile, dynamic duo Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca brought the fire for the 2021 premiers in the middle of the ground. Combined, the pair ended the game with a massive 64 disposals.
For the Hawks, James Sicily took 13 marks to dominate the aerial waves across the Hawks’ half-back line, while Dylan Moore continued his brilliant start to the season with 33 disposals.
Hawthorn will go head-to-head with Essendon on Saturday night and Melbourne will aim to continue their undefeated reign against St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday.
FULL SCORE
Melbourne: 3.3, 7.5, 13.9, 13.13 (91)
Hawthorn: 3.5, 5.8, 8.11, 11.15 (81)
GOALS
Melbourne: B Brown 4, T Bedford, T McDonald, M Gawn 2, B Fritsch, S Weideman, C Petracca
Hawthorn: J Koschitzke 4, C Macdonald, D Moore, J O'Meara, T Mitchell, C Wingard, L Breust, J Worpel
BEST
Melbourne: B Brown, M Gawn, C Petracca, C Oliver, A Brayshaw
Hawthorn: J Koschitzke, D Moore, J O'Meara, J Sicily, T Mitchell
INJURIES
Melbourne: J Smith (ankle)
Hawthorn: C Nash (leg)