Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Melbourne can breathe a sigh of relief as they will play finals for the first time since 2006, beating West Coast on the road for the second straight year.
The Dees were the better team all day, but conceded the lead late in the game and Melbourne supporters all over the country felt that familiar sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs.
It would be Jake Melksham standing up and kicking two of the last three goals of the game to push his team over the line.
Here's everything you need to know!
The Moment: Kent kicks the Dees into September
Relentless Melbourne pressure ended with Dean Kent having a set shot for goal 45 meters out directly in front.
It was a relatively simple shot for goal, but potentially the most important kick in the last 10 years of the Melbourne Football Club.
He had the weight of putting his side into finals, beating a top eight side for the first time this season and had 50,000 West Coast fans doing everything they can to throw him off.
The native West Australian went back and slotted the goal, securing Melbourne the win.
The Dees re-take the lead, and re-take their spot in the top eight!#AFLEaglesDees pic.twitter.com/Z9VmVJr6dw
— AFL (@AFL) August 19, 2018
What does it mean for the ladder?
The Dees are now locked into finals for the first time since 2006 and will likely host an Elimination Final at the MCG.
They play GWS next week and a loss could see them fall as low as eighth, but their percentage is far too strong for Port Adelaide or North Melbourne to overtake them.
A win next week would give them the chance to finish as high as fifth and host a final in front of their MCG faithful.
As for the Eagles, they now have to beat Brisbane next week to make sure they finish second.
A loss could see them travelling to Melbourne or Sydney in the first week of finals.
Jack Darling jogged off with the assistance of trainers after this tackle.#AFLEaglesDees pic.twitter.com/hN4OA1cfI6
— AFL (@AFL) August 19, 2018
What’s next?
Melbourne will face GWS next weekend at the MCG in another chance to get a win over a top eight side. The Dees have won two of their last three encounters and the Giants are dealing with a compounding injury problem.
West Coast will make the long road trip to Brisbane to finish their season and will have to decide whether to rest a few players. It’ll be an interesting decision given the Round 23 bye would essentially give those players two weeks off.
Willie Rioli converts Dom Sheed's cross as calmly as you like!#AFLEaglesDees pic.twitter.com/vjs3hTNwYZ
— AFL (@AFL) August 19, 2018
First time since R01 that WCE have conceded 90 points in a game
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) August 19, 2018
19 games in a row without conceding 90 points was the longest streak in the @AFL era
@WestCoastEagles @melbournefc #AFLEaglesDees
Full Score
West Coast: 3.0, 5.4, 11.6, 14.7. (91)
Melbourne: 4.4, 7.6, 12.8, 16.12. (108)
GOALS
West Coast: Rioli 3, Hutchings 2, Sheed, Ryan, Vernables, Ah Chee, Cripps, LeCras, Masten, Vardy, Yeo
Melbourne: Melksham 4, T.McDonald 3, Hannan 3, Jones, Weideman, VandenBerg, Kent, Harmes, Brayshaw
BEST
West Coast: Yeo, Sheppard, Sheed, Cripps, Rioli, Shuey, Masten
Melbourne: Melksham, Brayshaw, Gawn, Harmes, Hannan, T.McDonald, Jones
INJURIES
West Coast: Darling (concussion)
Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Nil