Josh Kelly stars as GWS Giants end MCG hoodoo with dominant win against Melbourne
They haven't quite consigned their MCG woes but GWS have showed that winning comfortably at the ground is possible after their 26 point AFL victory over the Demons.
The Giants registered a 14.10 (94) to 10.8 (68) result on Sunday, and dominated for three quarters of the match in what looked like a glorified training run.
But a seven-goal splash by the home side in the final quarter narrowed the margin as the Giants eased to only their third win in 17 trips to the MCG.
It was their first at the ground since a 16 point victory against Collingwood in round two last season.
Josh Kelly was in outstanding form as the Giants snapped their MCG losing streak with a big win against Melbourne AAP
Speaking to Fox Footy after the impressive display, Giants veteran Brett Deledio explained that the key to MCG success was not changing the game plan from one ground to another.
"Not specifically," he said when asked if the team made changes to its game plan.
"To our forward group I spoke a bit. It's more about us just continuing moving and working and not changing the way we do it from GIANTS Stadium to down here to Marvel Stadium or wherever we play.
"A fair bit has been made of it, which is probably fair because we've only won two games, but that's three now and hopefully we can build from it and keep going."
Toby Greene was back to his agitating best and was involved in a scuffle with Melbourne's James Harmes AAP
Josh Kelly (31 possessions) and Harry Himmelberg (a career-best five goals) were the standouts as Nick Haynes marshalled a defence that limited the Demons to just one goal in the first half.
Melbourne fans could only ponder the extent of the damage and their dismal 3-7 record, ruckman Max Gawn a rare bright light in centre bounce duels and some timely marks.
The Giants effectively had the contest wrapped up by half-time, such was their control of the ball and lack of opposition pressure. They led the inside 50 entries by more than double in the first half, 34-16, and the return of only six goals was more their own wastefulness.
Their 35 point margin ballooned to 57 by the end of the third quarter, leaving the Demons only left to save some face in the final term.
- With AAP
