Arabic version: اندفاعة متأخرة للشياطين تُصدم فريمانتل في ملعب إم سي جي

According to The Guardian, Melbourne defeated ladder-leading Fremantle by four points at the MCG on Saturday after kicking four of the final five goals in an extraordinary, high-tempo contest. Both teams kicked 17 goals in what was described as the finest exhibition of attacking football this season.

Fremantle led by 15 points midway through the final quarter and appeared set to extend its late-game dominance. Melbourne instead held its nerve under pressure, with Harrison Petty kicking two of his three goals in the last term. The result improved the Demons’ record at the MCG this year to 10-1 and put them within striking distance of the top four.

Kysaiah Pickett collected 27 disposals and kicked two goals, while Tom Sparrow had 24 disposals and two goals as Melbourne’s patched-up midfield competed strongly against Fremantle’s highly rated engine room. Sparrow, who has been moved on to the ball following the departures of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca, is averaging 22 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and 11 goals across 21 matches this season.

Max Gawn finished with 16 touches and 33 hit-outs in his ruck battle with Fremantle’s Luke Jackson, who recorded 17 disposals, seven tackles and 26 hit-outs. Fremantle’s Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss combined for 11 goals, with Voss kicking four. Melbourne also limited the influence of 19-year-old Fremantle playmaker Murphy Reid, while Koltyn Tholstrup gathered 22 disposals.

New Melbourne coach Steven King has reinvigorated the club with a free-flowing attacking approach suited to the MCG, in contrast to the previous rigid, risk-averse style under Simon Goodwin. The Guardian said the victory showed Melbourne could be regarded as a genuine premiership wildcard, while noting the two sides could meet again in September.