Looking Back: Melbourne Snatch Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory
Last updated: Apr 30, 2018, 2:26AM | Published: Apr 26, 2018, 11:08PM
Melbourne did everything but get the win in their comeback attempt on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the MCG. Geelong took home the chocolates by three points in an enthralling game, as prodigal son Gary Ablett's return to the Cats was met with victory.
Coming in as favourites, the Demons failed to live up to their tag and trailed most of the day after a bright start. Eventually, they dug themselves a hole that they could not get out of.
At times Melbourne resembled the team living up to the hype, but for the most part it was the more experienced Geelong who controlled the game. They led by 27 points at half time after a high scoring first half.
Geelong registered 20 scoring shots from 24 inside 50's, as they run riot on the Demons hapless defence. Melbourne rallied in the second half holding them to just 17 points, but it was too little too late as their comeback fell painfully short.
Max Gawn had played a huge role in the Demons' comeback, rucking strongly and providing for the midfield, which helped spark the rally that almost won Melbourne the game.
When the ruckman marked directly in front, it seemed as if the Demons were about to cap off a classic comeback win. It wasn't to be, despite the odds being very much in his favour.
Based on data from the last 5 years, the average player (under avg pressure) sinks the Gawn shot about 83% of the time. 26m out on an angle of 21 degrees. Rough way to end it.
— Robert Younger (@figuringfooty) March 25, 2018
It might be easily forgotten however, that Gawn's miss spared the blushes of Daniel Menzel who had failed to convert a chance minutes earlier that was even harder to miss.
FWIW the Menzel miss from 16m out a few minutes earlier would be kicked about 95% of the time.
— Robert Younger (@figuringfooty) March 25, 2018
These chances decided a stunning contest, and Gawn would not have even been in that position had Jordan Murdoch and Zach Tuohy not made shocking errors which gave Melbourne the ball back in the first place.
Stage fright took over however, and Melbourne's chances of victory were Gawn with the wind.
