Melbourne 6.6  10.7  13.8  16.12 (108)

Gold Coast 0.2  4.5  5.9  9.12 (66)

Melbourne has recorded just its third win for the year with a well earned 42 point victory against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.

Despite the Suns possessing two of the best three players on the ground in Bennell (38 disposals, four goals) and Ablett (33 disposals one goal), Melbourne proved too strong and experienced for the Suns as Brad Green had a day out, kicking five goals in the victory.

Melbourne supporters found plenty of voice with the Demons third win of the season – http://www.flickr.com/photos/flying_cloud/

The intent was displayed immediately by Melbourne, as the Demons looked like the Harlem Globetrotters in comparison.The footy was played almost entirely in the forward half for the Demons, resulting in a six goal to zero opening quarter on slaughter.

The Suns only had two meaningful forward forays for the quarter, with the last one a mark after the siren to Brennan, who hit the post on a tight angle, leaving the quarter time margin as a 40-point lead to the Demons.

Colin Sylvia proceeded to the second quarter in the same vein as he finished the first, kicking the opening goal for Melbourne after a 50-metre penalty. It took Gary Ablett to finally get the Suns on the board early in the second quarter, only for Green to respond for the Dees.

A Brennan goal however gave the Suns a small spark, which was quickly followed by goal to Rischitelli and Bennell brining the margin back to 26 points. Two late goals from Tapscott and Trengove managed to provide Melbourne with a comfortable 38-point half time lead.

Melbourne once again took control of the game in the third quarter against what was a turn man team in Gary Ablett and Harley Bennell. Green in particular was on song, kicking two of Melbourne’s three goals for the quarter with Bail contributing the third. Harley Bennell’s second goal brought the three quarter time margin back to 47 points.

After Dunn kicked the opening goal of the final quarter, Melbourne began to ease off the intensity, allowing Gold Coast to kick three consecutive goals to get within 35 points. The Suns then missed three consecutive shots on goal to apply some genuine pressure on the Demons.

It wasn’t to be however, as Brad Green slotted his fifth goal for the day to end any faint hope of a Gold Coast resurgence.

Bennell managed to cap his magnificent performance off with his fourth goal but the final highlight belonged to Jeremy Howe, who took a flying pack mark before slotting the goal after the siren to cap off a 42 point win for the Demons.

Melbourne will now take on St. Kilda next Saturday at the MCG while Gold Coast will take on GWS at Metricon in what looms as the battle for likely number one pick, Lachie Whitfield.

VOTES

3) Harley Bennell

2) Brad Green

1) Gray Ablett Jr

GOALS
Melbourne: Green 5, Sylvia 2, Blease 2, Spencer, Trengove, Tapscott, Sellar, Rivers, Bail, Howe
Gold Coast: Bennell 4, Ablett, Rischitelli, Brennan, Russell, Lynch

BEST
Melbourne: Green, Sylvia, Jones, Trengove, McDonald, Grimes, Spencer, Dunn
Gold Coast: Bennell, Ablett, Shaw, Swallow, Patrick

INJURIES
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie (knee) was a late withdrawal. Morton (shoulder)
Gold Coast: Danny Stanley was a late withdrawal. Prestia (ankle), Smith (ankle), Hunt (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Cale Morton replaced by James Magner in the third quarter
Gold Coast: Dion Prestia replaced by Liam Patrick at quarter-time.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: H.Ryan, Schmitt, B.Ryan

Official crowd: 18,097 at MCG

Read up on the thougts of both sets of supporters over on BigFooty

Melbourne Demons

Gold Coast Suns