Kysaiah Pickett's snap shot under pressure in the dying seconds has given Melbourne a thrilling five-point win over Carlton in a huge boost to the reigning premiers' chances of locking in an AFL top-four spot.
It looked as though the undermanned Blues would pull off a major upset when Charlie Curnow kicked his only goal of the night to put them eight points in front deep into time-on of the final quarter.
But the Demons hit back through dangerous forward Jake Melksham. Then Pickett floated his last-gasp effort through from the top of the goal square with just 15 seconds left on the clock.
It sealed Melbourne's 11.13 (79) to 10.14 (74) victory at the MCG on Saturday night, which maintained their top-four position ahead of a crunch clash with Brisbane in round 23.
Carlton's bid to end a nine-year finals drought is still in their own hands heading into the blockbuster against arch-rivals Collingwood.
No more than two goals split Melbourne and Carlton in a finals-like arm wrestle that Demons coach Simon Goodwin feels can set his side up for another shot at September glory.
"It was an important night for us to win a close game of footy, we haven't done that all year really, and to show enormous character as a group," Goodwin said.
"It's the type of win that this group can embody and continue to move forward.
"They're important because you can draw on these experiences as you go forward and we've needed to be on the better end of one of these experiences.
"It was a great game of footy and either team could've won, but in the end this is the type of grit and character that you need to show."
Angus Brayshaw (38 disposals, 12 clearances) and Clayton Oliver (29, six) starred in the midfield for Melbourne despite both copping close attention from Will Setterfield.
Melksham finished with four goals and Pickett two, while Harry McKay and Jack Martin kicked three majors each for the Blues.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was cleared to play after a marathon tribunal and appeals process and was jeered by Demons supporters every time he went near the contest.
But the tough ball-winner sent those fans hoarse with 26 disposals and 10 clearances as the leader of an injury-hit Blues midfield.
Adam Cerra (adductor strain) was a late withdrawal, joining George Hewett (back) and Matthew Kennedy (jaw) on the sidelines, but Cripps, Sam Walsh (27 disposals) and Sam Docherty (28) took the fight to the Demons' vaunted engine room.
Both sides equalled their lowest first-half scores of the season in a dour opening but goals flowed more freely in the second half.
The lead changed hands four times in the last quarter as Martin twice put Carlton ahead but Melksham and Pickett had the final say in the tense battle.
"The last couple of minutes we didn't quite get right, so I guess it's easy to sort of focus on that last two minutes," Blues coach Michael Voss said.
"It leaves you gutted, it leaves you disappointed, but I'm also really proud at the same time.
"I thought our players were really brave right through the whole night, but it hurts."
