Round 9, 2008
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Sunday 25 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 41,341
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 6.4 | 9.5 | 12.6.78 |
| Hawthorn | 3.3 | 4.7 | 10.9 | 14.13.97 |
Hawthorn win by 19 points
Goalkickers: Ben Holland 3, Nathan Jones 2, Russell Robertson 2, Austin Wonaeamirri 2, Cameron Bruce 1, Aaron Davey 1, Paul Johnson 1
Brownlow votes:
1 - Brock McLean
Coaches votes
7 - Matthew Bate
2 - Brock McLean
1 - Brad Green
1 - Aaron Davey
Milestones:
Nil
Inspired by words from retired skipper David Neitz, who held the team in a tight huddle before they ran through the banner, the Demons jumped to a shock quarter time lead against the high-flying, unbeaten Hawks. It was a far cry from just over two months before when Hawthorn had destroyed them from the first bounce in their 104 point Round 1 massacre.
A sign of Melbourne's intent at playing hard for their fallen skipper was Brent Moloney's attack on Lance Franklin in the first quarter. He pushed the big Hawk to the ground, and when Franklin stood up Nathan Jones pushed him back down again.
In fact well into the last quarter the Demons were a chance of pulling off an unlikely victory. A Cameron Bruce goal wrested the lead back, the eighth time it had changed that afternoon, but the Hawks hit back and when Aaron Davey was denied a clear free kick in front of goals entering time-on it was clear that it wasn't going to be the Dees day.
A win in the contested possessions was matched with turnovers galore and the Hawks, though Mark Williams who had been quiet all day, took hold of the match in the last few minutes to win.
Lance Franklin kicked three for the Hawks but was well held by Colin Garland throughout the match. The Melbourne defender having his breakout game as backman.
Russell Robertson suffered a corked thigh, and Ben Holland who returned to the side with three goals injured his shoulder. Mark Jamar was a late replacement for Jeff White.
Best were McLean, Bate and Green. Nathan Jones was fined $1950 for umpire contact.
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