Melbourne didn’t break even when Hawthorn charged and got unsociable in semi-final

HAWTHORN was charging with plenty of time left, and one Hawk let Demons players know what he thought of them. What happened next tells you everything about the 2018 Demons.

Christian Petracca celebrates his goal. Picture: Michael Klein

SAFE to say, the old Melbourne would have cracked.

A huge lead shrinking by the minute in a huge final in front of a huge crowd - all against a rival boasting a September pedigree unmatched over the past decade.

Yet there’s a belief within this Demons side that burns bright.

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Not even when the Hawthorn players suddenly got “lippy” in the last quarter did the Demons wobble.

When Jarryd Roughead nailed a set shot to cut Melbourne’s 32-point three quarter-time margin to 12 points at the 11-minute mark of the fourth term, another Hawk couldn’t help but stir the pot.

“You’ve blown it. You blokes are choking, you blokes are choking,” he yelled to any Demon who would listen.

But, like the Western Bulldogs of 2016 and Richmond of 2017, this isn’t the same old Demons.

Isaac Smith tangles with Jordan Lewis. Picture: Michael Klein

Christian Petracca and the Demons stood tall when it mattered. Picture: Michael Klein

Maybe it’s all the heartbreak - the dismal games and depressing years - that has steeled this group to withstand the heat that only September can bring.

If this Melbourne side gets beaten, it’s not going to be because it is overawed or intimidated.

Not even at Perth’s new deafening coliseum, Optus Stadium, coincidentally a venue Melbourne won at against the Eagles only three weeks ago.