Melbourne veteran Paxy Paxman will be breathing a sigh of relief after her late free kick proved inconsequential in the thrilling two-point win over Geelong.
With the Demons leading by eight points with less than a minute remaining, Paxman failed to give the ball back to the umpire after a ball up just 20m out from Geelong’s goal.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Paxman gives away late free kick.
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The umpire had no hesitation in paying the free kick, which gave the Cats an easy goal through Jacqueline Parry.
There was initial confusion for what the free kick was for, but Melbourne great Nathan Jones quickly spotted it.
“I have no idea what that was for,” Alister Nicholson said in commentary.
“She didn’t give the ball back,” Jones replied.
“It’s that rarely seen free kick, well spotted Jonesy,” Nicholson added.
“It’s a harsh penalty to pay, but that’s the rule. That’s the level of concentration, just need to be on every second,” Jones added.
The decision was reminiscent of the one paid against Collingwood in the AFL, which sparked a wild comeback victory by Fremantle.
But there was no repeat this time, with the Demons doing just enough to keep the Cats at bay in the final seconds.
But the Demons will sweat on the fitness of key forward Tayla Harris, who was hooked from the game at three-quarter time after hurting her already heavily strapped left shoulder.
Melbourne trailed by 11 points midway through the third term before captain Kate Hore sparked a run of three consecutive goals to snatch a 6.6 (42) to 6.4 (40) win at GMHBA Stadium.
Harris required treatment on her shoulder after innocuous incidents in the first and third quarters and left the field for what she called “precautionary” reasons after dealing with the issue in pre-season.
“Obviously I’ve had some shoulder issues along the way, and just another little incident, it’s Round 1,” Harris told Channel 7 after the game.
“The girls are doing an awesome job, I feel like it’s an opportunity to watch the show. Yeah, today it is (precautionary).”
The Cats have high expectations after reaching the preliminary final last season and showcased their brilliant pressure throughout the game.
The brilliant Hore (three goals, 23 disposals, six clearances) stepped up every time the game swung in Geelong’s favour.
Gun Cats trio Amy McDonald (28 disposals, nine clearances), Georgie Prespakis (21 touches) and Nina Morrison were influential, along with versatile tall Jacqueline Parry (two goals).
Geelong got off to a flyer, booting the first two goals of the game.
But Hore, who is splitting her time between midfield and attack, ignited the Demons, kicking the next two goals.
As rain started to fall, the Cats restored a six-point halftime lead via a lovely snap on the run from Rachel Kearns.
With Melbourne trailing by 11 in the third term, Hore took a terrific one-handed mark and kicked her third major, before Sinead Goldrick added another.
Blaithin Mackin (25 disposals) put the Demons in front just before the final change.
Geelong drew level before Eden Zanker restored Melbourne’s lead.
Parry cut the deficit to two points after free kick against Paxman, but Melbourne held on to claim some redemption for last season’s heartbreaking semi-final exit at Geelong’s hands.
– With AAP