Melbourne are through to the AFLW preliminary finals after producing the greatest comeback in competition history to defeat Geelong by four points on Saturday.
The Demons trailed by 28 points in the third quarter but kicked the final five goals of the match, including the only three in the final term to seal the stunning 8.8 (56) to 8.4 (32) victory.
Geelong star Chloe Scheer had the chance to win the match with a set shot from 20m out directly in front, but normally reliable goalkicker sliced her effort wide with under 15 seconds remaining.
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While Scheer will be left ruing what might have been, Melbourne veteran Paxy Paxman will go down as the hero with her point-blank snap with under three minutes remaining the match-winner.
It capped a remarkable comeback from the Demons, who didn’t kick a goal until the closing stages of the first half.
The rampant Cats looked certain winners at that point, having kicked the first five goals of the match.
They carried that momentum into third quarter with three of the next four goals, but then completely went into their shells.
Melbourne reduced the margin to two goals at the final chance before Alyssa Bannan kicked the first two of the final term to set up the thrilling finale.
Paxman put the Demons in front before Geelong’s final chance from Scheer went wide.
“Bit numb at the moment. Think Scheer would kick that every other day of the week. Thought that was going to slot right through,“ Geelong star Becky Webster said after the match.
“Lots to love out of that game. Not much you can say to Scheer besides ‘bad luck mate’, who cares at the end of the day, we’ll lace up again next week and get the job done.”
Melbourne have the week off, while Geelong’s semi-final opponent will be the winner of the Sydney versus Western Bulldogs elimination final on Sunday at Henson Park.
Geelong onballer Georgia Prespakis was easily best afield in the first half, but Melbourne midfielder Liv Purcell helped spark their comeback and they had 34 possessions apiece.
It was the first time Geelong’s Mick Stinear has gone up against his old club since the 2022 premiership coach left Melbourne at the end of last season.
The threat of lightning delayed the start of the game on Saturday by 10 minutes, but Melbourne’s changeable spring weather meant much of the game was played in sunshine.
About the only thing Prespakis did wrong in the first half came early in the first quarter. Tearing into attack on a fast break, she gave the ball off rather than have a shot at goal and the Cats blew the chance.
Melbourne also had their opportunities, before Geelong co-captain Webster kicked the only goal of the first quarter.
The Cats kicked clear in the second term with four goals to one and led by 22 points at the main break. They twice led by 28 in the third quarter, before the Demons hit back.
With Purcell and 100-gamer Tyla Hanks leading the way, the Demons kicked four goals to three and cut the margin to 12 points at the last change.
Geelong’s Kate Surman will come under video scrutiny for front-on contact with Alyssa Bannan on the wing in the third term.
Cats star Nina Morrison also had to leave the field in the last quarter after Tayla Harris collected her with a massive tackle, but she was able to return.
Bannan’s accurate snap in the first 30 seconds of the final quarter brought the Demons to within a goal. Prespakis kicked a behind, then Bannan kicked her second.
Paxman put Melbourne in front for the first time since the first quarter with her goal at 17 minutes.
Two-time defending premiers North Melbourne are playing Carlton in the second game of Saturday’s qualifying final double-header at Ikon Park.
— With AAP
