Round 4, 2006
Sydney vs Melbourne
Sunday 23 April
Venue: SCG
Attendance: 29,167
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Sydney | 4.2 | 6.6 | 9.10 | 13.14.92 |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 7.5 | 10.6 | 15.7.97 |
Melbourne win by 5 points
Goalkickers: Adem Yze 3, Cameron Bruce 2, Aaron Davey 2, Paul Johnson 2, Jeff White 2, Brock McLean 1, David Neitz 1, Byron Pickett 1, Russell Robertson 1
Brownlow votes:
3 - Brad Miller
2 - Byron Pickett
Coaches votes:
9 - Brad Miller
9 - Byron Pickett
5 - Cameron Bruce
Milestones:
First goal
Paul Johnson (11th game - also with West Coast)
After playing finals for the last two years, a 0-3 start to 2006 left Melbourne's season on the ropes as they travelled to the SCG to play the defending premiers. During the week their premiership odds had ballooned to $61, with one brave punter having $1000 on them at that price. They narrowly avoided a near-fatal fourth loss, with Cameron Bruce kicking the winning goal with 40 seconds left after his side had been reduced to one fit player on the bench for most of the second half.
Melbourne lost David Neitz to a hip injury and Brock McLean with a groin issue before halftime, and midway through the first quarter Paul Johnson saw his first game as a Demon ended when a brave lunge for a loose ball ended in a dislocated shoulder. Despite Sydney's attempt to run them off their feet, the visitors were still a goal in front late in the final quarter. Their previous loss involved goal umpiring controversy, and it looked like there would be more debate when Sydney kicked a late goal courtesy of a 50 metre penalty against Jared Rivers when his opponent made no effort to catch the ball thrown back to him after a free kick. Asked if he had seen red over the decision, Neale Daniher said: "Absolutely, I cannot lie" but would not comment further.
With 40 seconds left, Cameron Bruce broke the deadlock with a snap. The Swans nearly snatched a draw, missing a running shot with 23 seconds left. Melbourne survived the kick-in, restarting a season that had been on the brink.
Best were Pickett, Davey and Yze. In addition to the injuries to Johnson, McLean and Neitz, Aaron Davey hurt his finger, and Colin Sylvia was concussed.
Video
Media
Age - 24/04/2006
Links
Demonblog match review