Pickett inspires Dees’ epic comeback in Gawn milestone
By SHANE HOPE
Kysaiah Pickett starred and Bayley Fritsch kicked four goals as Melbourne pulled off the fifth-greatest comeback in club history in a stunning 23-point triumph over Carlton.
The Demons trailed by 43 points early in the second quarter but rallied after halftime for a remarkable 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77) victory at the MCG on Sunday.
The second win of new coach Steven King’s tenure was a fitting way to celebrate respective 250-game milestones for captain Max Gawn and key tall Tom McDonald.
Max Gawn got down to business in his 250th game for the Demons. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Pickett (32 disposals, six clearances) was superb and kicked a crucial final-quarter major as the Demons overhauled a 20-point deficit midway through the term with the last seven goals of the match.
Gawn had 23 disposals and 55 hit-outs in a colossal display, with Tom Sparrow (29 touches), Caleb Windsor (24) and Jack Steele (23) all prominent in the comeback.
Fritsch was crucial in attack, while Harvey Langford and Kade Chandler kicked two goals apiece.
Bayley Fritsch made a valid point by kicking four goals for the Demons. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Another horror second half display by Carlton meant they slumped to a 1-2 record while losing Zac Williams (ribs) and impressive young defender Harry Dean (shoulder) to injuries.
Sam Walsh (31 disposals) and young star Jagga Smith (25) held their heads high, while captain Patrick Cripps (21) was influential early.
The Blues kicked six unanswered goals in the first quarter, leading by a game-high 43 points when Elijah Hollands slotted the first goal of the second term.
At the other end, Melbourne’s first six-pointer didn’t come until Langford converted a set shot just before halftime.
It was a different story after the main break as the Demons sprung to life, with Gawn and Pickett at the forefront, cutting the deficit to 12 points with a six-goals-to-two third quarter.
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn rose to the occasion in his milestone match. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Fritsch booted two of those and added another two in a see-sawing final term.
Pre-season rookie selection Paddy Cross cut the margin to six points with his first goal on debut, before the Blues responded and restored a 20-point buffer.
But the Dees rattled home and hit the front when Langford struck in time-on, before kicking clear in an emphatic finish.
The crowd figure of 67,763 fell just short of a record attendance for a Carlton-Melbourne home-and-away fixture.
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