It's not often a 250th milestone match is overshadowed, but when Gary Ablett is involved, the midfield maestro takes precedence.
Ablett was unstoppable in his return game for Geelong, ending his day with 39 disposals and a goal, which was instrumental to the Cats' nail-biting three-point victory over Melbourne.
The Demons clawed their way back in the final quarter and had an opportunity to steal the game in the final minute, yet Max Gawn missed from a set-shot 30m out, allowing Ablett's fairytale to come true.
Despite Melbourne nearly taking the win, Geelong’s debutantes and strong midfield saw an impressive 14.14 win over the Demons' 13.16.
A quick and heated quarter kicked off Sunday afternoon's match, with both sides' speed and aggression in the midfield impressive.
It was the debutantes who got proceedings underway, with the first major of the day going to first-gamer Bayley Fritsch, who was dynamic with his early touches, stunning overhead mark and subsequent goal.
But it was Geelong’s debutantes in Esava Ratugolea and Lachie Fogarty who soon hit back, each scoring first-quarter goals.
Despite the absence of star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, the newcomers in Fogarty and Tim Kelly proved to be a promising force, combining in the centre to give Ratugolea a chance at his second, which he narrowly missed.
But the highlight of the quarter undoubtedly belonged to the prodigal son, Gary Ablett.
In his return game for the Cats, Ablett proved he was well and truly back after scoring a miraculous major from the forward flank, resulting in a standing ovation from the Geelong faithful.
Dominating with five early disposals, Ablett affirmed to the club they had made no mistake in welcoming him back into the Cattery.
Despite their solid gameplay, the Cats had reason for concern after Harry Taylor was forced to sit the rest of the game out with a suspected heel issue.
Yet the Cats had more to worry about.
While both teams were equally hungry for the ball, the Demons dominated the clearance count in the first quarter 12-3, albeit with only a four-point lead at quarter-time.
Christian Petracca capitalised on Geelong’s lack of clearances with a team-high seven clearances, 13 contested possessions and five inside 50s.
Melbourne began the second term controlling the play, continuing their scoring accuracy with an early goal to Clayton Oliver to extend the lead.
But Geelong were determined to stay in the contest and quickly turned the tables, booting seven of the next eight majors to catapult themselves to a 27-point lead at the major change,
Ablett continued to prove his worth in the midfield with 11 uncontested possessions and six score involvements in the quarter, while 250-gamer and captain Joel Selwood notched up 10 disposals of his own.
Geelong's effective transitioning of the ball from defence drove the 31-point turnaround, with their defensive wall across the midfield resulting in four major scores.
Despite the the five-goal deficit, Melbourne were set on narrowing the gap and began the third term ideally following a goal to Gawn.
While the second quarter had seen Melbourne fail to efficiently capitalise on the scoreboard, identical circumstances befell Cats in the following term.
Geelong’s inaccurate 1.2 compared to Melbourne’s 4.4 allowed the Demons to narrow the margin to just seven points at the end of the third quarter.
Petracca had the opportunity bring the Demons within two points with back-to-back majors in the dying minutes of the term, yet failed to convert his second.
With their 27-point gone, the Cats once again had pressing issues with milestone-man Selwood injuring his knee in a tackle.
While the skipper played the quarter out deep in the forward line, his movement appeared to be restricted for the rest of the term.
Determined to begin their season with 1-0 start and complete the Ablett fairytale, Daniel Menzel maintained their lead with first goal in the final quarter.
Although the Demons fought back with a goal of their own, Menzel provided even more magic in the forward line with two incredible marks, to put the Cats further in front.
Now seemingly unaffected, Selwood was crucial in the midfield - ending his day with 39 touches - and helped thwart Melbourne opportunities late.
As Jesse Hogan slotted another major to bring it back to five points, two behinds to Menzel put the Cats an all-important seven points up.
Melbourne continued to claw their way back point by point, and nearly had the chance for a late steal after Gawn clunked a huge contested mark 30m out from goal in the final minute.
Yet it wasn't to be for the Demons as Gawn's kick faded to the left, resulting in a heart-breaking three-point loss - Ablett's return game for Cats now one to remember and celebrate.
The Cats will surge into next week hoping to make it 2-0 against arch-rivals Hawthorn, while Melbourne will be given the opportunity to redeem themselves against Brisbane at the Gabba.
MELBOURNE 6.1 8.5 12.9 13.16 (94)
GEELONG 5.3 12.8 13.10 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 3, Pedersen 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Hannan, Fritsch, Petracca, Oliver, Garlett, Gawn
Geelong: Menzel 4, Parfitt 2, Ablett, Ratugolea, Kelly, Murdoch, Smith, Fogarty, Parsons, C. Guthrie
BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Oliver, Jones, Hogan, Fritsch
Geelong: Ablett, Selwood, Menzel, Kelly, Ratugolea
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Taylor (foot), Stewart, Bews
TALKING POINTS
1. ABLETT IS BACK, MAKING THE GEELONG MIDFIELD MIGHTIER
The little master is back.
After seven seasons at the Gold Coast, the favourite son has returned to the Cattery with immediate effect.
Ablett's classy goal in the opening quarter of the game was met with a tremendous roar and standing ovation from the Geelong fans - his return well and truly welcomed with open arms.
The re-united duo of Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood were a special force in the midfield, pushing the ball into the forward 50 and ultimately creating a 27-point lead at half-time.
Both ended their day with a game-high 39 possessions, and were fundamental in giving Geelong their narrow win.
Both were superb throughout the entire game, and with the return of Patrick Dangerfield on the horizon, Geelong’s super trio is going to be close to unstoppable.
2. DEBUTANTES ON BOTH SIDES HAVE MADE THEIR MARK
It was an afternoon of debuts at the MCG, with both sides proving they have great up-and-coming talent.
The first goal of the match was converted by debutant Bayley Fritsch from Melbourne, whose spectacular park mark in the opening minute brought the Demon faithful to their feet.
The dynamic forward was well known to recruiters last year after having an outstanding season with the Casey Demons in 2017, where he booted 42 goals in 19 games, finishing in fifth position of the VFL goal-kicking table.
Geelong similarly saw promise in their debutantes, with Esava Ratugolea creating an imposing presence in the forward line and kicking the first for the Cats in the opening minute.
Tim Kelly played a blinder in his debut, racking up 27 touches and demonstrating his talent as a dominant among the midfield giants of Selwood, Dangerfield and Ablett.
Over the season, these players will be great assets to their respective sides and ones to keep a close eye on.
3. THE DEMONS ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
Despite losing to Geelong by a mere three points following Max Gawn's miss in the dying seconds of the game, the Demons proved they are serious competitors for the season.
Dominating and controlling the ball for most of the match with 44 clearances, 64 inside 50s and 155 contested possessions, Melbourne will be kicking themselves after their chance of a win went begging.
The Demons fought until the very last seconds of the game; their persistence, aggression and resilience confirming they will potentially be a serious contender for the premiership.
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