Demons sweat on Max Gawn’s fitness after win as Jake Melksham provides spark on return

Jake Melksham gave Melbourne some much-needed spark up forward, but Dees fans will be sweating on Max Gawn’s fitness after the skipper was subbed out in the win over West Coast which will continue pressure on Adam Simpson.

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIAÉ July 7, 2024. AFL Round 17. Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles at the MCG. Jake Melksham of the Demons celebrates a 3rd quarter goal. Pic: Michael Klein

The pressure on embattled West Coast coach Adam Simpson is set to intensify after Melbourne smashed his Eagles by 54 points at the MCG on Sunday.

The Demons won 17.10 (112) to 8.10 (58), after the margin blew out to 61 points at one stage, and the lopsided result continued a dismal run of form for West Coast who have now lost their last six games by an average of 45 points.

And hot on the heels of revelations of Eagles players wanting Simpson out at year’s end, as first reported by The West, the club’s latest performance will do little to quash speculation of unrest within the club.

According to the report, three players had sent text messages expressing their desire for Simpson’s removal, but for large parts of Sunday’s contest, it looked like a lot more than three players were keen for a coaching change. West Coast have now won just eight of their last 65 matches.

Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons takes a big mark during the third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

Aside from a few competitive patches here and there, the Eagles were completely outclassed by the Demons who started with a bang and, from the 16-minute mark of the first quarter, booted six goals in a row to lead by 43 points early in the second term and kill off the contest early.

It was a case of boys against men as the Demons dominated clearances, contested possessions and inside 50s in the opening term. They were also gifted far too much space in their attacking zone by the Eagles who applied zero pressure and appeared as though they had thrown in the towel before quarter-time.

Melbourne meant business. They were far hungrier and out-hunted West Coast with intense heat on the ball carrier leading to multiple holding-the-ball free kicks as 11 of their first 15 goals came from turnovers.

The Demons split the visitors open with blistering end-to-end transition, with seven of their first 12 majors coming from the back half, and their midfield-forward connection was completely in sync, which was a big factor in them registering their best-ever first quarter against West Coast of 7.3 (45).

Melbourne thumped the Eagles in contested possessions 128-104, and despite finishing even in forward entries 49-49, the Demons were far more efficient with nine more goals as the Eagles backline struggled to defend adequately.

GAWN SORE

Melbourne captain Max Gawn was subbed off in the final quarter with what looked like an ankle complaint, but post-game, coach Simon Goodwin said he expected Gawn to be OK to play next week and that he was taken off as a precaution with the game well and truly over.

Post-game, Simon Goodwin said he expected Max Gawn to be OK to play next week and that he was taken off as a precaution with the game well and truly over.

Meanwhile Adam Simpson revealed Jeremy McGovern had gone to hospital with a rib or lung issue which occurred in the final few minutes.

Max Gawn of the Demons receives attention during the club’s win over West Coast. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

ROO, KOZZY FIRE UP

A career game from Jacob van Rooyen (nine marks) was the driving force behind the decisive first half as the Melbourne forward kicked all four of his goals prior to halftime. He could have had more, but missed four set shots and had to settle for an equal career-high bag.

Demons livewire Kysaiah Pickett was also instrumental with a spectacular first half that featured 10 touches and two goals, before taking a mark-of-the-year contender in the third quarter when he flew on Josh Rotham’s back and reined in an absolutely sensational grab.

Pickett got so high that he collected the ball on his chest before falling back to earth from a dizzying height. It’s a mark that will surely give Collingwood pair Jamie Elliott and Bobby Hill a run for their money.

And Trent Rivers continued to stand up in the midfield in the absence of Christian Petracca with another superb performance that saw him rack up 29 disposals and seven clearances.

Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons kicks at goal during the third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

DEES STILL IN THE HUNT

The comprehensive result has crucially kept Melbourne in touch with the top eight and they will likely finish the round two points adrift given the Lions are hot favourites against the Crows on Sunday evening.

Originally published as Demons sweat on Max Gawn’s fitness after win as Jake Melksham provides spark on return