Melbourne have secured themselves the minor premiership for the first time since 1964 after coming from 44 points down to defeat Geelong 12.9 (81) to 12.5 (77)
Fittingly, it was a goal after the siren from captain Max Gawn to give Melbourne the win and send Dees fans around the country into delirium.
The clash between the top two teams on the ladder looked anything but early on as the Cats ran riot over the Demons at Kardinia Park.
The game looked beyond Melbourne’s reach after an unanswered eight-goal burst by Geelong in the second quarter.
Tom Hawkins had a hand in everything, kicking three on the trot during the Cats’ purple patch as Geelong took a 39-point lead into the half.
Melbourne needed to respond after half-time, not just to stay in the match but to take some sort of form into the finals next week. It wasn’t resounding, but they certainly lifted their game and cut the margin to 32 points heading into the final break.
Strangely enough, the Dees actually won two of the first three quarters yet still found themselves a few lengths off the pace.
Clayton Oliver was massive all night for Melbourne and led all comers with 30 disposals (22 contested) at three-quarter-time.
The Demons finally showed up in the last quarter and looked every bit the team that had rocketed into flag favouritism.
They kicked the first five goals of the quarter via Kysaiah Pickett, Charlie Spargo (2), Clayton Oliver and Bayley Fritsch to cut the margin to three points with 10 minutes to go.
Geelong was in on what would have been a certain goal when Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Henderson collided after going for an uncontested mark in the Cats forward 50.
Henderson played out the match but Cameron did not return to the field and was assessed by club doctors.
As the clock ticked down, Melbourne continued to throw everything they had at the Cats who were barely clinging on.
Then, with under a minute to go, Melbourne was given a 50-metre penalty from the wing which took Jake Lever to the arc. The defender casually strolled in and popped the Sherrin to the top of the goalsquare and into the hands of Gawn.
The Demons’ skipper calmly strutted in after the siren had sounded and kicked truly to give Melbourne a memorable win.
Geelong will be shellshocked as they contemplate a trip to Adelaide Oval next week to face Port in front of their faithful.
Melbourne will have to decide where they want to play next week against a Brisbane outfit high on energy after their last gasp triumph against the Eagles earlier tonight.
FULL SCORE
Geelong: 2.1, 10.2, 12.3, 12.5 (77)
Melbourne: 2.3, 3.5, 6.7, 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Cameron 2, Rohan 2, Close, Dahlhaus, Dangerfield, Selwood
Melbourne: Pickett 3, Brown 2, Oliver 2, Spargo 2, Fritsch, Gawn, Viney
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins, Smith, Henderson, Guthrie
Melbourne: Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Salem, Lever, Pickett
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Melbourne: Nil