Melbourne forward Chris Dawes leads Demons to victory over Adelaide

MELBOURNE forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals in a three-point upset victory against Adelaide as the Demons logged their second win of the season.

Melbourne celebrates a goal during its thrilling win over Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

MELBOURNE forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals in a three-point upset victory against Adelaide as the Demons logged their second win of the season.

The Demons triumphed 11.4 (70) to 9.13 (67) in a grinding affair in Saturday’s twilight fixture at Adelaide Oval.

Dawes’ output was crucial while on-baller Jack Viney (23 disposals), Dom Tyson (29 possessions), ex-Crow Bernie Vince (26 disposals) and lively forward Jay Kennedy-Harris (25 touches) were influential.

Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield (two goals, 24 possessions), Brodie Smith (30 disposals) and Scott Thompson (29 touches) battled gamely while Josh Jenkins and James Podsiadly each kicked two goals in a lacklustre display from the Crows, now with three wins and four losses.

The Demons, with captain Jack Grimes marshalling the defence, Vince prominent in the midfield and Dawes and Kennedy-Harris lively in attack, swamped their hosts with four goals to one in the first term.

Melbourne forward Chris Dawes starred in the victory. Picture: Simon Cross

Adelaide’s goal came from Dangerfield inside 45 seconds but they didn’t score another until the 21st minute of the second term.

The opening quarter was marred by a sickening collision which felled two players — Adelaide’s Tom Lynch and Melbourne’s Alex Georgiou.

Lynch was sandwiched between Georgiou and Viney and didn’t return due to concussion, while Georgiou returned in the third term but was also substituted.

The Crows also lost small defender Matthew Jaensch to a knock to the back in the second quarter.

Jaensch’s absence coincided with Melbourne making their move before 44,216 spectators, with Dawes kicking two second-term goals as the Demons crafted a match-high 36 point lead.

Melbourne then withstood a third-term fightback from the Crows, who crept within six points when Jenkins slotted his second major.

And the margin was reduced to just four points when Dangerfield goaled midway in the last term, only for the Demons to respond with majors to Mark Jamar and Tyson to seal a deserved victory.