THE KANGAROOS have recorded their sixth straight win, surviving a desperate Melbourne comeback at the MCG to pip the Demons by one point.
The Kangaroos looked to have the game sewn up when they led by 35 points at the five-minute mark of the final quarter, before an inspired Melbourne kicked seven goals in a row to take a five-point lead with five minutes remaining.
Andrew Swallow was the saviour for the Roos, kicking a running goal from 50 that just carried over the line with barely a minute remaining on the clock.
The Roos faced an improved Melbourne side to the one that lost to West Coast by 77 points last week, with the inclusions of Russell Robertson and Brock McLean, but they were nevertheless good value for their win, 10.19 (79) to 11.12 (78).
After enduring heavy criticism early in the season, the Kangaroos are now firmly entrenched in the eight with six straight wins, while the loss leaves the Demons winless for the 2007 season.
Coming into the game, Shannon Watt was a late withdrawal replaced by ruckman David Hale. Glenn Archer also returned to the defence, which was outstanding for three quarters.
Michael Firrito kept Melbourne captain David Neitz to one goal, before he kicked three in the final quarter. Drew Petrie gave Brad Miller nothing, and Archer had a good battle with Robertson, who finished with three goals.
Shannon Grant was the star for the Roos with five goals, but equally as important was captain Adam Simpson (27 possessions), Brent Harvey (23), who shook off the tag of Simon Godfrey, Jess Sinclair (21), Andrew Swallow (21), and Hamish McIntosh in the ruck.
Brady Rawlings picked himself up another big scalp, doing a great job limiting the influence of dangerous Melbourne midfielder Travis Johnstone. He picked up 17 possessions himself as well, compared to Johnstone’s 16.
Robertson got Melbourne off to a good start with the first goal of the game, but then the Roos kicked into gear with two goals in a minute by Corey Jones. Lindsay Thomas booted another just before quarter time to give the Kangaroos a seven-point lead.
Grant then came into the game in the second quarter. He booted the first three goals of the term, before Cameron Bruce kicked Melbourne’s first goal in a quarter of football. Grant added his fourth of the quarter, before Robertson’s second reduced the half time Kangaroos lead to 17 points.
The third quarter wasn’t pretty, but the Roos came out of it with a 28-point lead, kicking 1.7 to Melbourne’s two behinds. Grant’s fifth was the only goal of the quarter and it came at the 12-minute mark.
When Matt Campbell goaled to open the final quarter, the Roos might have thought they had the game sewn up, but they were soon given an awful fright by the Demons.
Twenty minutes later the Demons were in front, and looked like running away with the win, but Swallow’s goal kept the Roos’ winning run alive.
Another big challenge awaits next Saturday at Subiaco Oval against West Coast.
KANGAROOS 3.5 7.7 8.14 10.19 (79)MELBOURNE 2.4 4.8 4.10 11.12 (78)
GOALSKangaroos: S Grant 5, C Jones 2, M Campbell, A Swallow, L Thomas. Melbourne: D Neitz 4, R Robertson 3, C Bruce 2, B Green, N Jones.
BESTKangaroos: B Harvey, A Swallow, S Grant, A Simpson, B Rawlings, D HarrisMelbourne: C Bruce, C Bizzell, N Carroll, N Brown, J McDonald, N Jones.
INJURIESKangaroos: Nil. Melbourne: M Bate (hamstring) replaced in selected side by N Brown, A Yze (groin) replaced in selected side by B McLean.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: S McLaren C Kamolins T Pannell.
Official crowd: 30,662 at MCG.
