SOUNDS OF SILENCE by Whispering Jack

[Demonland 72,176]

This was my first game for points involving the Demons in more than a year and a half and the long march to Carrara turned out to be worthwhile. The game was won in a single withering quarter that was dominated by Melbourne on the back of an outstanding display from Karen Paxman. The four-time All Australian picked up 13 touches for the stanza to set up a five goal to nothing second term after a lacklustre start in which the cleaner, sharper Gold Coast notched up the first two goals of the game in quick time.

The goals came when the Demons steadied to square the game before a goal on the siren had the Suns back on top.

Melbourne’s strong midfield and its marking prowess with Paxman (who finished with 25 touches) and Lily Mithen controlling the middle and Kate Hore and Tegan Cunningham converting led them to a 22-point half time lead in the warm humid conditions.

Lauren Pearce had a tough task in the ruck and while beaten in the hit outs she made up for it with her work around the ground. Tyla Hanks continues to improve and will be a leading light in the team as the season goes on.

Debutant Eliza McNamara, drafted from the Dragons at #15 in last year’s draft was the most impressive of the newcomers. While not in the play all that much, veteran Daisy Pearce hovered around the ground directing proceedings with her experience. Krstel Petrevski was dangerous around the big sticks and was well rewarded with her two goals.

The Demons’ half time score of 7.1 was outstanding for a team not noted for accuracy in front of goal. At the time, they were on course for a club record but both teams tired and the final quarter yielded no goals for either. The final score was still the club’s fourth highest in its history and the win was its first against Gold Coast because it was the first time they’ve met.

The Suns’ cause was destroyed by their inexperience and lack of discipline - they gave away three 50 metre penalties and a couple more goals through unnecessary frees. Their best player was ex-Demon Sarah Perkins, who the club was unable to retain after last season - a pity because her strength up forward was an asset for her team.

We’ll take the win especially in the circumstances of a same day fly-in/fly-out. There’s a lot do as the season unfolds but it was good to come home with the four points, especially in front of 1,902 fans of who, I think I was one of the two Melbourne fans, such were the sounds of silence when the Demons scored their goals.

MELBOURNE     2.0     7.1     9.1     9.2     (56)

GOLD COAST     3.1     3.3     5.4     5.5     (35)

GOALS

Melbourne: Cunningham 2, Hore 2, Petrevski 2, Zanker, Mithen, Heath
Gold Coast: Perkins 2, Stanton, Kaslar, Perry

BEST

Melbourne: Paxman, Mithen, McNamara, L.Pearce, Cunningham, Hanks
Gold Coast: Stanton, Perkins, Keaney, Ahrens, Drennan

INJURIES 

Melbourne: Nil

Gold Coast: Bradfield (knee)

REPORTS: Nil

ATTENDANCE: 1902 at Metricon Stadium