As it happened Dees survive late Eagles onslaught and lightning delay to take top spot
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West Coast coach Adam Simpson spoke to the media after his side’s loss to Melbourne...
Ben Brown spoke to the Melbourne media department after kicking three goals in the Demons’ nine-point win...
What an extraordinary night in the west - rain, lightning (and thunder no doubt) - but the Demons just manage to hang on in a game that will forever be a footy trivia footnote.
Eagles fans, having watched that frantic frenetic last 15 minutes, are entitled to ask why their team does not play with that straight-ahead ferocity all the time.
Melbourne will be grateful to escape with the points having looked likely to romp to victory before the weather gods’ intervention.
The Eagles finished the game with a wet sail, particularly after the 30-minute lightning delay, but the Dees did enough in the end.
Melbourne ended up winning the disposals 349-339, clearances 41-40 and scoring shots 22-18, despite West Coast ending up on top in tackles 54-46, marks 83-68, inside 50s 50-49, contested possessions 145-136, free kicks 28-17 and hitouts 39-37.
West Coast 2.0, 4.5, 5.6, 9.9 (63)
Melbourne 4.2, 5.3, 10.8, 10.12 (72)
GOALS
West Coast: Cripps 2, Kennedy 2, Darling 2, Redden, Naitanui, West
Melbourne: B.Brown 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Melksham 2, Petracca, Pickett, Harmes
DISPOSALS
West Coast: Yeo 31, Redden 30, Sheed 27, Kelly 26
Melbourne: Oliver 28, Petracca 28, Harmes 25
INTERCEPTS
West Coast: McGovern 10, Witherden 8, Redden 7
Melbourne: Lever 10, Rivers 10, Bowey 9, Petty 8
Ben Brown celebrates one of his three goals.Credit:Getty Images
Here’s some reaction to Melbourne’s win over West Coast...
The last quarter lasted 59 minutes as a result of the 30-minute lightning delay. Season 2021 has had everything!
The ball was in the Eagles’ forward half for 82 per cent of the final quarter and they kicked all four goals after three-quarter time.
But the Demons, who led by 33 points at one stage, survived the late onslaught to hang on for a nine-point win.
Melbourne are on top of the ladder.
Cole bangs it forward and Darling takes the contested chest mark.
He snaps the easy set shot from 10m out and cuts the margin to nine points with 1:20 to go, 9.9.63 to 10.12.72
Allen’s set shot from a sharp angle in the pocket misses slightly to the right and the deficit is now 15 points with 2:13 to go, 8.9.57 to 10.12.72.
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