Melbourne have copped a mid-season reality check at their home away from home in Alice Springs, suffering a 49-point defeat to an impressive Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
The Demons have dropped consecutive matches for the first time in the Steven King era after a narrow loss to Western Bulldogs a week earlier.
There were similarities in this defeat with the inefficiencies that regularly plagued them under previous coach Simon Goodwin.
The match slipped away from Melbourne in a five-goals-to-two third quarter despite going inside 50 18 times to the Giants’ seven, after they slashed the margin to 12 points with the last two goals of the first half.
But King also would have been disappointed with an insipid final quarter that saw the margin become a blowout.
GWS were slick in transition, and punished the Demons for their waywardness on the way to an important 19.5 (119) to 9.16 (70) victory ahead of their bye next week.
Finn Callaghan, Harvey Thomas, Connor Idun, Toby Greene and Lachie Ash were outstanding for the Giants.
After obliterating reigning premiers Brisbane with a 14-goal third term a week earlier, Adam Kingsley’s Giants appear to be putting an inconsistent start behind them to climb inside the top 10.
Jack Steele was Melbourne’s leading ball-winner with 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions and four clearances, while fellow recruit Brody Mihocek kicked three goals.
