Almost eight years to the day since making an ignominious debut on the same big Queen's Birthday stage, Jack Watts stood tall when it mattered most.
The oft-maligned Watts kicked the match-winning goal from a tight angle as Melbourne hung tough for a four-point win over Collingwood at the MCG, lifting the Demons into sixth spot on the ladder.
It was Watts' third goal on a day which started inauspiciously when he copped a heavy knock to the back in the opening term.
Young gun Christian Petracca was just as impressive and booted three majors of his own for the Demons, who won 15.14 (104) to 15.10 (100).
"Christian is the sort of lad who wants the ball in his hands in big moments and it's the same with Jack," said Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.
"They're good finishers, they play with a lot of energy and spirit.
"You want the ball in their hands late in games and they want it in their hands as well."
Melbourne were at a very low ebb eight years ago when Watts was prematurely promoted to make his senior debut against the Magpies in the annual Queen's Birthday fixture.
The much-hyped No.1 selection in the 2008 national draft was famously swamped by three Magpies players the first time he took possession of the ball after coming off the bench.
Now he is a key player in a side right in contention to qualify for the finals for the first time since 2006.
"It's a big journey, isn't it?" said the 26-year-old Watts.
"It's nice to get on the other end of a few.
"I think it's more of a club thing, not a personal thing, feeling the direction that the club's going now."
Collingwood looked to have Monday's match well in their keeping when they kicked the first six goals of the second quarter to race to a 28-point lead.
That was the signal for third-year player Petracca to impose himself on the contest, setting up a goal for Jeff Garlett with a clever intercept mark and then slotting his first major of the day on the run from outside the 50m arc.
Melbourne wrested back the momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Collingwood by six goals to two to take a one-point lead into the final change.
Goals were harder to come by in the final quarter, with Mitch Hannan, the impressive Petracca and Watts booting majors for the winners and Jordan De Goey, Tom Phillips and Alex Fasolo responding for the Magpies.
Back in the side after taking a week off to address mental health issues, Fasolo ended the day with two goals.
Former Demon Jeremy Howe was among the Magpies' best and also took a spectacular grab in the second quarter which could well end up being voted mark of the year.
Collingwood would also have claimed sixth position on the ladder had they won on Monday.
But the loss saw them slip to 11th spot with a 5-7 win-loss record ahead of their bye week.
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