Melbourne were too strong for their tenacious opponents in Greater Western Sydney, defeating last year’s wooden-spooners by six points in a hard-fought game at Casey Fields.
In a seesawing contest with five lead changes, the game was only decided at the 16-minute mark of the final term.
Richelle Cranston's three-goal haul - including the last-minute sealer - was crucial in the Demons' narrow win.
The Giants pounced on the Demons early, slotting the first major of the game and subsequently limiting their opponents to 1.3 for the first half.
GWS were right in the thick of the contest for the entirety of proceedings and were led from the front by Phoebe McWilliams.
The Giant booted three majors, including one to level the scores late in the final quarter.
Yet a resurgent Melbourne outfit, who trailed by nine points at the major change, turned the tables in the second half.
With scores level in the final quarter, Melbourne pushed ahead late when Cranston was able to break through a large pack of players and put the Demons in front with three minutes left on the clock.
Cranston, who played an inspiring second half, booted three goals and willed her side back into the game alongside her skipper, Daisy Pearce.
The Melbourne captain was again a standout, with a game-high 19 touches, 13 of which were in the second half of the game.
Pearce set the tempo for her teammates with a superb display in the middle of the park and was flanked brilliantly by fellow midfielder Elise O’Dea, who had 17 possessions of her own.
It just wasn’t to be for the Giants who in the end were outrun by a fitter Melbourne side.
Following their victory, Melbourne have proved they are in the running for securing their maiden premiership come season’s end.
The Giants themselves were still able to take positives out of the narrow loss, unearthing the first Irish talent in the AFL Women’s competition in Cora Staunton, a former Gaelic ace who was selected 11 times for the All-Ireland team.
Staunton was able to kick a big first half goal to push the Giants further ahead and retain their lead for the entire second term.
Melbourne will face the reigning premiers, Adelaide, at Casey Fields next Saturday, while the Giants welcome Carlton to Drummoyne Oval on Friday night.
MELBOURNE 1.2 1.3 4.3 7.3 (45) GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.0 3.0 5.2 6.3 (39)
GOALS Melbourne: Cranston 3, Scott 2, Cunningham, Hore Greater Western Sydney: McWilliams 3, Barclay 2, Staunton
BEST
Melbourne: D. Pearce, Cranston, O’Dea
Greater Western Sydney: McWilliams, Staunton, Gum
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