Melbourne Demons survive late scare to keep season alive

Melbourne supporters were fearing the worst when the Essendon Bombers took control in the final quarter, but their season is still alive.

Melbourne supporters were fearing the worst when the Essendon Bombers took control in the final quarter, but their season is still alive.

The Melbourne Demons’ season is still alive after the club survived a late scare against the Essendon Bombers at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Leading by 28 points at halftime, the Demons were on track to record a comfortable victory and slide back into the top eight on the AFL ladder.

However, Essendon kicked five goals in the fourth quarter, reducing the deficit to just seven points with three minutes remaining on the clock.

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Understandably, Melbourne supporters immediately feared the worst. Sportswriter Titus O’Reily tweeted: “Hey, let’s just switch off when it matters most. That Melbourne’s club motto.

“What a joke of a club. Even if we win.”

But the Demons held their nerve, holding off the late onslaught and securing a gritty 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) win on the Gold Coast.

Melbourne should absolutely be a top 8 side. I know they are not beating much today but their midfield is as good as anyone’s and that’s with Brayshaw out injured #AFLDonsDees

— Philip Dalidakis (@philipdalidakis) September 19, 2020

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Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd told 3AW: “I didn’t like this last quarter from Melbourne at all. They got away with it against a side like Essendon and where they are at right now, but I’m not sure why they played this footy in the second half.”

Demons skipper Max Gawn told Fox Footy after the final siren: “That last quarter was a stretch — a couple of mistakes from us, a bit of maturity late to get us over the line.

“Essendon were one win behind us; it was always going to be a close game.”

Melbourne fans will now turn their attention to Sunday evening’s match between the Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs in Cairns.

The equation is simple — if the Bulldogs win, they qualify for the finals; but if Fremantle win, Melbourne will claim the vacant finals spot.

Demons forward Jayden Hunt kicked a game-high four goals, while James Stewart booted three majors for the Bombers.

Meanwhile, Essendon trio Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and Dylan Shiel each managed 25 disposals during Saturday’s encounter.

Before his last AFL game with Essendon, head coach John Worsfold discussed the impact his five-year stint with the club had on his personal life.

Bombers head coach John Worsfold walks off the field in his last game.

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“I’ve built some wonderful relationships with people through the Essendon footy club, in particular the players,” Worsfold told Fox Footy.

“I’m really excited to see them progress in their careers, watching Andy McGrath from the day we drafted him to what he’s been able to achieve so far – and he’s only got better stuff ahead.

“My emotion is mixed though because at the end of this chapter, it means I can reconnect in a fatherly way with my family, rather than being so remote. That’s a massive thing for me when I get back to Perth.

“My kids have grown up a fair bit in the last three years, I’ve tried to be there as much as possible. But to be there and around them full-time will be pretty awesome.”