Australian Football

Match Report

Melbourne provided its fans with some all-too-rare joy with a comfortable seven-goal win over the cellar-dwelling Gold Coast Suns at the MCG. The Demons set up the win with a six goal to one opening term and defended their leaded over a scrappy ensuing three quarters. Brad Green, who two days later announced that the 2012 season would be his last at AFL level, played his best game for Melbourne in a long-time, booting five goals and Nathan Jones continued his wonderful season. Jeremy Howe was also very good for the season, and his match included the obligatory weekly screamer. For the Suns, Ablett did what he does best, amassing 33 touches and Harley Bennell provided glimpses of a sunnier Gold Coast future with 38 touches and four goals. David Swallow played his best game since returning from injury in round 16. Demon coach Mark Neeld showed a willingness to try players in different positions, and was rewarded by good performances from Jamar up forward, Dunn in the back-line and Spencer in the ruck. The Suns, who matched it with Melbourne for the best part of the remaining three quarters, were left to rue their tardy start. Gold Coast face the Giants in round 20, a match it must win to avoid the near-certainty of gaining a second wooden spoon.

GOALS
Melbourne: Green 5; Sylvia, Blease 2; Spencer, Trengove, Tapscott, Sellar, Rivers, Bail, Howe
Gold Coast: Bennell 4; Ablett, Rischitelli, Brennan, Russell, Lynch

BEST - HERALD SUN
Melbourne: Grimes, Green, Howe, Sylvia, Jones, Frawley, Dunn
Gold Coast: Bennell, Ablett, Shaw, Swallow, Patrick

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Melbourne: Sylvia, Jones, Trengove, McDonald, Grimes, Spencer, Green, Dunn, Howe
Gold Coast: Bennell, Ablett, Lynch, Harbrow

COACHES COMMENTS
Mark Neeld (Melb): The pressure stats were really good in the first quarter and we finished off some work with the footy well.

Guy McKenna (GC): We were just second to the ball, probably wanting too much of the easy footy.

Umpires: H.Ryan, Schmitt, B.Ryan