Melbourne has kept their finals hopes alive with a 5-point win over the GWS Giants at the Gabba.
The Giants held the lead at three-quarter time but were overrun by a persistent Melbourne outfit who knew the future of their season was on the line.
The Dees kicked three goals in the final term to pinch the lead before Brent Daniels gave his side an opportunity with just 35 seconds to go, but it was too little, too late for the side in orange.
Melbourne started the match strongly, kicking five goals to three in the first term only for the Giants to draw level at half time and claim ascendancy in the penultimate quarter.
Brent Daniels kicked three goals for the Giants, including a goal of the year contender while Rising Star nominee Tom Green collected 29 disposals.
Oskar Baker, Trent Rivers, and Charlie Spargo each slotted two majors for the Dees.
Christian Petracca kicked a goal and had 22 disposals.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: The race for the eight
An equation that seemed so simple for the Giants has suddenly become a lot more confusing. A win tonight for the orange team and they had full control over their future but the Dees win has seen Melbourne replace them in the eight with a favourable percentage.
Melbourne, GWS and the Western Bulldogs all now sit on 32 points, however the latter have a game in hand and will face the lowly Hawks on Sunday. While they have the worst percentage of the aforementioned sides, a Dogs win on Sunday will put them in prime position to claim that eighth spot.
Tonight was a huge missed opportunity for the Giants and a classic eight-point game for the Dees, who made the most of their chances.
What’s next?
The Giants will take on St Kilda at the Gabba next Friday night while Melbourne travel to the Gold Coast to face Essendon in a do or die clash.
Full Score
GWS Giants: 2.3, 7.5, 10.7, 11.8 (74)
Melbourne: 5.2, 7.5, 9.6, 12.7 (79)
BEST
GWS Giants: Green, Kelly, Whitfield, Hopper, Daniels
Melbourne: Langdon, Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Salem
Goals
GWS Giants: Daniels 3, Lloyd 2, Williams 2, Finlayson, Cameron, Perryman, de Boer
Melbourne: Baker 2, Rivers 2, Spargo 2, Pickett, Fritsch, Hunt, Petracca, Neal-Bullen, Salem