Demons dent Port's finals hope

(AAP) - A determined Melbourne have notched consecutive AFL victories for the first time in more than two seasons to put a major dent in Port Adelaide's finals hopes.

The Demons, who recorded a hard-fought victory over West Coast at the MCG last round
in the wake of learning that club legend Jim Stynes was fighting cancer, backed up
with similar desperation to down the Power 15.11 (101) to 13.12 (90) at the MCG on
Sunday.
It was Melbourne's first back-to-back wins since rounds 10 and 11, 2007, and lifted
them off the bottom of the ladder, while the Power's loss left them a win and
percentage outside the top eight.
Exciting forward Liam Jurrah starred with four goals, in just his fourth AFL match,
with Ricky Petterd also contributing four majors, including his side's only two
goals of the final term.
The Power had threatened to snatch the game, trailing by 32 points 15 minutes into
the third quarter they charged back to within seven points 14 minutes into the last.
Inspired by hard-working third quarters from brothers Chad and Kane Cornes and a
strong game by captain Domenic Cassisi, Port kicked three of the last four goals of
the third term.
They then added three of the first four majors of the final quarter, at which stage
they looked likely to swamp the Demons.
But Petterd stretched the margin back out to 14 points at the 19-minute mark, with
his fourth goal, after outbodying Port defender Michael Pettigrew to take a strong
goalsquare mark.
Fittingly, Jurrah also had a hand in what was the game's final goal, with his long
kick from the flank setting up Petterd for the mark.
The Power still had some chances after that, but Nathan Krakouer, Warren Tredrea and
Brett Ebert all missed shots at goal before time ran out.
Petterd had earlier in the term produced a fine 40m snap under pressure from
Pettigrew to help keep the Power at bay.
It completed a poor game for Pettigrew, who started on Jurrah, with the athletic
Aboriginal forward booting three goals in the first quarter.
One of those came from a spectacular mark and Jurrah took another screamer in the
second term as he continued to excite the crowd, although this time he failed to
convert.
But, after leading by two goals at half-time, Petterd, Jurrah and Brock McLean
kicked the first three goals after the break to put the Demons 32 points up, before
the Power's fightback began.
McLean and Brent Moloney both produced fine performances in the midfield for the
Demons, while veterans Cameron Bruce and Brad Green also made important
contributions.
Cassisi and Kane Cornes were clearly their side's best, with Cassisi in particular
fighting hard to prevent the Melbourne midfield controlling the match.