Melbourne will need to back themselves to win the preliminary final

The league’s dizzying deliberation over the finals structure in response to the coronavirus pandemic initially ruled Melbourne out of contention.

Had the initial incorrect press release stood, the Demons’ curse of finding unlikely ways to miss finals in their first three seasons would have played its cruelest trick yet.

Did that initial devastation shake the Dees? Perhaps. Even the most ardent Melbourne fan would have to admit that the Demons were a long way off their best against GWS.

The overlap run and carry that are the hallmarks of Mick Stinear’s team were rarely sighted as Melbourne was outworked around the ground and its backline made uncharacteristically poor decisions (the second quarter failure of two defenders to provide a shepherd for Harriet Cordner on Bec Privitelli that led to Aimee Schmidt’s goal was the best – or worst – example).

The top heavy midfield controlled much of the contest, winning hit-outs by 11, clearances by 11 and Inside 50s by 10, but their forwards failed to adapt to the Giants’ set-up and it took a hell of an effort to snatch the win as the tremendous experience and grit of Karen Paxman and Daisy Pearce came to the fore.

If the Dockers can find the sort of rhythm that Melbourne allowed GWS to establish, they will not let the Demons back into the contest.