Red-hot Demons humble Hawks in AFL statement
Shayne Hope |
Melbourne have continued their stunning rise under first-year coach Steven King with a run-away 39-point win over Hawthorn.
The Demons’ offensive firepower was on full show as they turned a six-point half-time margin into an 18.12 (120) to 12.9 (81) triumph in front of 68,557 fans at the MCG on Saturday.
It improves Melbourne’s record to 7-3 as they leapfrog the Hawks (6-3-1) into fifth spot on the ladder.
The Demons, whose lead reached 51 points in the final quarter, are unbeaten in six appearances at the MCG this season and have kicked triple-figure scores seven times in 10 rounds.
Jack Steele (26 disposals, six clearances) and Tom Sparrow (27 disposals, eight clearances) were key ball-winners, Harvey Langford (18 touches, two goals) shone on a wing, and Harrison Petty kicked three goals.
Max Gawn (18 touches, eight clearances) was influential in the ruck and Daniel Turner stood tall in defence.
Kysaiah Pickett was blunted by Finn Maginness for periods, but still had a say in the outcome with 13 disposals and two goals.
Hawthorn, who missed injured spearhead Jack Gunston and key defender Tom Barrass, have lost two and drawn one of their past three games.
Dylan Moore was the Hawks’ best with 27 disposals and two goals, while Karl Amon (28 touches) and Jai Newcombe (24) had plenty of the ball.
Nick Watson kicked three goals from nine touches, but was limited by Koltyn Tholstrup.
Melbourne kicked the opening goal of a game for the first time this season as versatile tall Petty slotted the first two, and they had their noses in front for most of the first half.
A stunning Josh Weddle goal on the run from 50 metres briefly gave the Hawks the lead in the second term, but it was the Demons ahead by one straight kick, 6.6 to 5.6, at the main break.
The Dees’ buffer grew rapidly with three goals in 10 minutes when play re-started, and while the Hawks hit back, Fritsch matched Weddle’s effort with a brilliant goal from the boundary to keep them at arm’s length.
Melbourne had the better of an entertaining third term – 6.2 to 4.0 – and turned for home with a 20-point advantage.
Pickett laid a strong tackle on Watson early in the final quarter and kicked one of the Demons’ six goals for the term as they ran away with a convincing win.
AAP