Melbourne’s Jack Viney celebrates a goal.

Melbourne’s Jack Viney celebrates a goal.Credit:AFL Photos

Selwood was the first to sense the moment,going head-to-head with the Demons’ ball winner Oliver,but it was Hawkins who put it on the scoreboard,slotting three unanswered majors that saw him close within five of Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay.

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It was then Dangerfield who imposed himself on the contest midway through the second quarter,kicking a running goal from outside-50 before winning the very next centre clearance to set up Close for another goal.

Gary Rohan and Jeremy Cameron (two goals) then made sure of the 39-point buffer,showing why the Cats’ three-pronged attack is one of the competition’s most envied and most devastating.

But the Dees clawed their way into the contest after half-time. Oliver was sensational,amassing 39 disposals,27 contested possessions and nine clearances,and kicked an incredible goal in the final term.

Tom Hawkins lets his emotions flow after booting a goal.

Tom Hawkins lets his emotions flow after booting a goal.Credit:Getty Images

Kysaiah Pickett (three goals) and Charlie Spargo (two) also got to work at ground level inside-50,while Gawn had 25 disposals,39 hitouts and seven clearances to go with the match-winning goal.

The Cats weren’t without chances. Cameron hit the post with minutes left on the clock that would have forced the Demons to kick two straight majors to win,while Cameron and Lachie Henderson also clashed heavily inside forward-50 going for a loose ball that would have likely resulted in a certain goal.

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But the Dees willed themselves. In the end,they had seven more inside-50s,seven more clearances,and four more scoring shots.

With the win,the Dees claimed their first minor premiership since 1964 – the year they last won a flag – and in the process avoided a clash with Port Adelaide in front of their parochial home crowd.They’ll meet Brisbane in a qualifying final,who clawed into the top four late in their win over the Eagles,having not played in finals since their disappointing 66-point preliminary final loss to West Coast in 2018.

Instead,it’s the Cats who will take on the Power for a spot in the preliminary finals,as they did in the first week of finals last year.

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BEST:
DemonsC. Oliver,M. Gawn,C. Salem,J. Viney,C. Spargo.
Cats J. Selwood,P. Dangerfield,C. Guthrie,L. Henderson,T. Hawkins.

VOTES:
C. Oliver (Demons) 9
M. Gawn (Demons) 8
J. Selwood (Geelong) 8
P. Dangerfield (Geelong) 7
C. Salem (Demons) 7

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