Melbourne Demons, Bayley Fritsch, horror shot on goal, Collingwood Magpies, qualifying final loss, Max Gawn, inaccuracy, inside 50, record

A woefully inaccurate Melbourne set an undesirable AFL record in Thursday evening’s qualifying loss to Collingwood as they butchered pictures on purpose.

The Demons completed with 69 inside 50s in comparison with the Magpies’ 37 on the MCG – however managed simply seven targets within the seven-point loss.

That +32 inside 50 differential is now the very best in a shedding final, as Melbourne had 20 inside 50s alone within the final time period however couldn’t snare the win.

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Demons skipper Max Gawn mentioned these figures left a “bitter style” when assessing the match post-loss.

“Little bit of a bitter style with the numbers which can be on the whiteboard … it’s a really nearly Melbourne-type loss,” he mentioned.

“We’ve had +30 inside 50s, we’ve received the competition, received anticipated rating and nonetheless can’t recover from the road.”

Kysaiah Pickett completed with 1.3 on the evening, and an out of bounds on the total snap with lower than three minutes to play within the final time period.

Nevertheless it was teammate Bayley Fritsch who produced probably the most stunning kick of the evening, as he despatched his set shot from 40m on the slight angle straight out on the total.

“Ohhh no! He’s nearly missed the ball!” commentator Brian Taylor mentioned of the set shot.

“It simply caught the Nike or Adidas emblem on the sting.

“He very practically missed it!”

Fritsch kicked 2.2 for the evening together with Melbourne’s final purpose with minutes to play – however even that got here with some danger as he dribbled the ball via from 15m out.

“That kick (out on the total from Fritsch) was an actual emotional let down for Melbourne at that stage,” Fox Footy’s David King mentioned.

“They left a number of on the market.”

It was a disappointing evening for Fritsch given he’s often a dependable kick for purpose, with 114.46 mixed from his 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph mentioned the Dees had “torched the footy on a grand scale” whereas Jason Dunstall mentioned the facet “ought to win” with such a one-sided inside 50 rely.

“They’re creating alternatives, they only must discover a method to execute a bit higher,” he mentioned.

Former Saint Leigh Montagna mentioned Melbourne’s inefficiency in assault had been their “achilles heel” all season – and it price them any shot at victory in opposition to Collingwood.

“It’s an outstanding distinction (in inside 50s) for Collingwood’s defence to carry up,” he mentioned.

“Simon Goodwin talked about their vulnerabilities get uncovered in finals – their vulnerability to get excessive inside 50s and never capable of convert has price them tonight.

“They didn’t take their possibilities – they usually had loads of them.

“They lacked a little bit of composure.

“Even a few of Bayley Fritsch’s misses, who is without doubt one of the finest kicks within the competitors for purpose, had an off evening.

“You’ve obtained to benefit from it (inside 50 dominance).

“It’s been their Achilles heel up to now … one thing they’re going to must work on.”