Melbourne has all but confirmed its first finals appearance since 2006 with a massive 96-point win over a demoralised Gold Coast outfit.
Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw continued his sparkling period of form with 31 and 27 disposals respectively, while Jesse Hogan proved his class with four goals in the big win.
While Alex Sexton kicked five of the Suns' seven majors, he was one of the few highlights for the visitors, who succumbed to their fifth loss with more than a 10-goal deficit.
After a stirring win against the Crows in Adelaide last week, Melbourne were on the lookout for a big win at the MCG, with September firmly in their sights.
Although starting with good intent, the Suns couldn’t match the class of the Demons early as skipper Nathan Jones was able to sneak forward for the first goal of the game.
This would be quickly followed by two more Melbourne majors, as majors to Oliver and Christian Salem sent danger signs to the Gold Coast coaches box.
Nick Holman would get the Suns on the board midway through the quarter to inject some life back into the contest, after a five minute period of solid play by the young away side.
This would be short lived however, as a quick response by Alex Neal-Bullen would open the floodgates for the remainder of the first term.
Five more unanswered goals would spell extreme trouble for the Suns as the Demons were out for blood, executing a breathtaking brand of football.
As Neal-Bullen put through his second in the dying moments of the first quarter, Melbourne’s lead had ballooned out to an astounding 51 points, with serious questions to be asked of this Gold Coast outfit.
Stern words by coach Stuart Dew at quarter-time would change very little in proceedings as the Melbourne machine continued to march on into the second term.
After a bout of inaccuracy to start, underrated forward James Harmes was able to hit the scoreboard to extend the margin out to 10 goals.
Hogan would follow that up quickly with his first to further the Suns embarrassment, as it seemed as if nothing they could do would stop the onslaught.
With the margin sitting at 70 points, a classy snap by Alex Sexton would break the run of nine unanswered Demons goals as the Gold Coast finally began to win some ball around the contest.
But they could not stop the class of Melbourne’s forward transition, as goals to Brayshaw and a second to Harmes would see the margin approach 80 at the 20-minute mark of the term.
Sexton would provide a rare highlight for the Suns, with his second goal coming via a long bomb from the wing.
However, the major story of the half would be the lack of effort by the Gold Coast who went into half-time trailing by an astounding 64 points.
With the four points locked in, the Demons came out in the third term with slightly less intent, as inaccurate kicking and an improved effort by the Gold Coast would see a relatively even quarter.
After 10 goalless minutes, Hogan would break the drought with his second as the Demons eyed off their second 100-point win of the season.
However, a more determined Gold Coast would make life tougher in the third, as that man Sexton would again bob up with his fourth goal.
Another period of inaccuracy by the Demons would prove frustrating for Simon Goodwin and the Melbourne’s coaches box as they seemed to slightly put the cue in the rack.
A classy finish by Jeff Garlett would finally end the goals drought as Melbourne extended their lead to a daunting 75 points at the final change.
The only positive of the day would come through young Sexton, who put through his fifth goal in the opening minute of the last quarter.
Following that it would be a rather dour quarter of football, as the improved pressure seen from the Suns began to dissipate.
The lapse in pressure would result in a flurry of majors from the Demons, who put through five unanswered goals to extend their margin to an even 100 points.
With their second 100-point win within their grasps, a late break in concentration would see veteran Michael Rischitelli put through a late consolation prize to bring the margin back to double digits.
A kick after the siren by youngster Bailey Fritsch would give the Demons one last chance of a 100 point victory, but his kick faded to the right resulting in a final margin of 96 points.
Melbourne will look to continue their charge to a top-four spot as they face Sydney at the MCG next Sunday afternoon, while Gold Coast will hope to salvage some pride as they face off against the reigning premiers, Richmond, at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
MELBOURNE 9.3 14.6 16.12 21.17 (143)
GOLD COAST 1.0 4.2 5.4 7.5 (47)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 4, Harmes 3, Spargo 2, Oliver 2, Garlett 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Jones 2, Petracca 2, Salem, Brayshaw
Gold Coast: Sexton 5, Holman, Rischitelli
BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Brayshaw, Hogan, Tyson, Salem
Gold Coast: Sexton, Miller, Witts, Harbrow, Brodie
INJURIES
Melbourne: Smith (shoulder)
Gold Coast: Wright (knee)
Comentarios