The Demons are on the winner's list for the first time this season after forward firepower headed by Kysaiah Pickett and Harrison Petty carried Melbourne to a 10-point victory.
It was a starkly different version of Melbourne than what fans had been exposed to this season, with the Demons converting their inside 50s into scores as efficiently as they have all season.
Of course, multiple goals were provided by Pickett's dazzling moments, with a hanger on his own teammate as well as burst from centre bounce reminiscent of the 2021 grand final, but Melbourne's ability to force the ball to ground around the goal square as well as find open targets inside the forward arc was instrumental in recording their highest score this season, as well as equalling their previous best effort by halftime.
Pickett kicked five goals, Petty kicked four, but the influence was vast. Max Gawn was at his surgical best with 12 score involvements, while Christian Petracca tallied eight and rookie Harvey Langford scored two majors himself.
Add in Jack Viney and Charlie Spargo as two of the leading inside 50 deliverers to make it clear: the Demons forward line and transition in attack was in sync on Saturday afternoon.
The sudden click into gear has come after Goodwin made the bold call to drop not just one out-of-form forward, but both Bayley Fritsch and Jacob Van Rooyen, the highest and third-highest goalkickers for the Demons in 2024.
As Melbourne now face a sharp turnaround to play Richmond back at the MCG on Thursday night in the ANZAC Day Eve blockbuster, Goodwin will have to determine whether he backs in his winning set-up of Saturday, or recall his troops after their reality check omission.
Questions will be raised. Can Pickett deliver that kind of display again? Can Melbourne back in Petty to do the same again? While Pickett is undoubtedly a chance to replicate his efforts, Petty's inconsistencies in the forward line are well-documented, with Goodwin even conceding in the pre-season that the experiment was likely to be over. However, his performance today, and his second half in Gather Round, have given it another life.
Goodwin will have to consider Van Rooyen and Fritsch's form too. Both only kicked a single goal and a single point respectively in the reserves' 53-point loss to GWS, tallying nine and 11 disposals each. Is that enough to warrant a call-up?
It is a conundrum for the Demons, but tough selection calls are required in successful sides. While the call won't be made until Wednesday night, the initial reaction from Goodwin seems the Demons may lean towards keeping the same forward line together for next Thursday.
Goodwin admitted post-game that the duo will have to prove themselves if they are to earn a spot back in the side, providing an inkling into his current perspective on the forward set-up.
"Obviously they went out of the team because we want them to find some form, they're both two incredibly valued players within our four walls, but we need to get them in form," Goodwin said.
"What we saw today in the front half of the ground is exactly what we're asking - a real ability to compete at air and ground level and get after the opposition.
"I thought the forwards did a great job today. I thought Tom Fullerton, although he didn't have a big game on the stat sheet, was able to do that, get the ball to ground. Harrison Petty, the same, and Koltyn Tholstrup and Tom Sparrow and Harry Sharp, they just got to work at ground level, and I thought the forwards operated really well together.
"I just think it's a part of what you do (as coach). We've got to pick the team that we think's in form, the one that we think can deliver what we're asking for at that time, and I'm sure Jacob and Bailey will be able to do that, in time.
"The art of coaching is to get them back into form, get them seeing what's important to the game and get them delivering it."
The Demons have no better chance to avenge their previous 0-5 start with back-to-back wins on ANZAC Day eve, taking on the young Tiger cubs, who have proven to be no easy beat so far this season.
And whoever is in that line-up come Thursday night, it will be an intriguing insight to Melbourne's mindset in turning their season around.
