MAKING the most of big moments is so much a part of September success.

Few players in this year’s finals series know that more than Jack Gunston, who boasts a superb post-season record amid three flags with Hawthorn.

Gunston’s fingerprints are all over the Hawks’ fabled three-peat, with his tally of 35 goals in 15 finals - at almost two-and-a-half per outing - simply superb.

But one uncharacteristic missed moment - combined with Melbourne seizing plenty at the other end - may well stick in the forward’s mind when he looks back at tonight’s semi-final clash.

With Hawthorn surging in the third term and looking to slash the Demons’ lead to just nine points, Gunston ducked out behind the defence and pounced on the footy as he ran toward an open goal.

But with Jack Viney closing, Gunston’s snap from just beyond the top of the goalsquare somehow barrelled into the post instead of through the main opening.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the Dees were about to make it much worse.

Melbourne summoned the moment, blazing from end to end and cashing in on an errant Liam Shiels handball to cruise into an open goal for Alex Neal-Bullen.

Twin majors soon after to Mitch Hannan and Angus Brayshaw just before the final change effectively ended proceedings and summed up the two teams’ nights: One side banging through a pinpoint 16.8, the other a wasteful 10.11.

Hawthorn made a push to start the final term to briefly close to within two goals, but they’d spent just about all they had by that point.

Gunston finished as one of the Hawks’ best, gaining more opportunities than any forward on the ground with his 16 touches and seven marks. His final tally of 3.5, though, might have left more than a few brown-and-gold fans wondering what might have been with a touch more accuracy.

But credit the Dees - those of barely any finals experience, bar Gunston’s former teammate Jordan Lewis - for grabbing plenty of moments with both hands for the second straight week.

Max Gawn stepped up with some saving marks. Jake Melksham jagged a superb left-foot long-range goal that deflated the Hawks’ surge. And Tom McDonald’s cool-as-you-like accuracy en route to 4.0 in front of the sticks instilled plenty of belief.

With every big play they come up with, the more Melbourne seems to believe in itself. And it now has plenty of pundits believing they can go the distance this finals series.