'Ramifications' for Demons' leaders after mistake labelled 'worst in AFL history'
The aftermath has been swift and severe for the Demons, with serious questions being asked of their leaders. With the score level at 90-all with eight seconds remaining, Melbourne conceded a 6-6-6 infringement from the restart.
What ensued was absolutely diabolical for Simon Goodwin's side, with Wanganeen-Milera given an unchecked run into the 50m circle to take an easy mark to slot the winning goal. The Demons didn't appear to know the rules around the 6-6-6 restart, and a number of players lost their heads on the final passage of play.
Jack Viney was standing on the wing marking no-one, when he should have been back behind the ball. Skipper Max Gawn sprinted back without checking any of the St Kilda players, while the Demons' coaching staff didn't appear to be communicating either.
Dissecting the final passage of play for AFL.com on Sunday night, Kane Cornes said it was the "worst 69 seconds in the game's history". Cornes pointed out the Demons were given a whole minute to get their defensive structure in place after the umpire called the 6-6-6 infringement, but still got it horribly wrong.
"Look at Jack Viney there, look at Kozzie Pickett (marking nobody)," Cornes said. "They let Wanganeen-Milera mark the ball inside the forward 50 with no-one on him. It's the worst 69 seconds I've ever seen.
"You just wonder about Simon Goodwin and what that means for the challenges that he's had with his coaching, and whether they're sitting back wondering 'gee is he the right man?'. Not only after this year but the mistakes that were made in this last quarter.
"I saw Simon Goodwin on the interchange bench and he was just standing there. There was no instruction, there was no direction. To me it appeared as though Melbourne were so defeated once they realised they couldn't win that game of footy."
"This is the worst 69 seconds in the game's history."Kane unpacks the Saints' incredible fourth-quarter comeback on First Up. pic.twitter.com/gp1CgzSK21
— AFL (@AFL) July 27, 2025
David King critical of Melbourne Demons' leaders
Speaking on Fox Footy, David King was just as critical of the Demons' leaders. King suggested the Dees players didn't know the rules and where they were allowed to stand on the restart from the 6-6-6 infringement.
'Name me the leaders at Melbourne. They're all there," King said. "They've got (Christian) Petracca, Gawn, you've got (Christian) Salem behind the footy, (Tom) McDonald. They're everywhere there. They should have understood this situation.
'They should have understood the 6-6-6. Instead of getting confused here … why is Max back in the middle? I just spoke with (ex-AFL umpire) Ray Chamberlain, he said there is no rule that says Max has to go back in and reset. He should be the loose man."
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King continued: 'What the hell is Viney doing in the middle of the wing when his opponent has gone to the left edge to charge forward? So, as the fourth midfielder comes in no one is communicating. No one knows who's got who.
"I don't understand how they've capitulated so poorly in the space of 30 seconds. They haven't assessed the situation. They haven't assessed the likely danger zones and they've allowed Wanganeen-Milera to charge unopposed into that dangerous area through a lack of understanding of what's going to happen and a lack of communication.
"This comes back to coaching, I don't care what anyone says. It comes back to learnt habits, learnt skills at training... They should have known these things. This is their profession. It's the dumbest thing I've seen this year."
AFL world blown away by Demons' mistakes
Reporter Mitch Cleary wrote on social media: "Was 55 seconds from the Demons' 6-6-6 infringement to the Saints actually getting the ball. How on earth has no one on the Dees' bench told Jack Viney to get to the defensive edge of the centre square?! Would've been in the exact hole where NWM marked it." While Daniel Garb suggested it could have 'major ramifications' for some at Melbourne.
Was 55 seconds from the Demons' 6-6-6 infringement to the Saints actually getting the ball. How on earth has no one on the Dees' bench told Jack Viney to get to the defensive edge of the centre square?! Would've been in the exact hole where NWM marked it https://t.co/YA8RjH8cgf pic.twitter.com/6RCW94Arzy
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) July 27, 2025
There were about 60 seconds between knowing there'd be a 6-6-6 free kick and the play actually starting...And after that not only does no-one track Wanganeen-Milera, Caminiti also floated down from his wing into so much space too.All the Dees just in a haze thinking 'eight… pic.twitter.com/a2pkjvS6Nd
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 27, 2025
Oh, Melbourne …. How the hell did that just happen! 0.4 to 9.2 in the last term … not just a 6x6x6 infringement at the end, but leaving NAS loose in the final play! That has to be a brutal, brutal review.
— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) July 27, 2025
What an insane finish. Nasiah the biggest one man team in the league. And not far off the best player.Major ramifications coming at Melbourne you feel. #AFLSaintsDees
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) July 27, 2025
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