The Lions’ turnovers began to mount, which the Demons punished with relentless accuracy. When under pressure, Melbourne’s dominant midfield struggles to find their forwards. Here, as the Lions coughed the ball up, opportunities opened up everywhere.

Pickett, enjoying the best patch of football in his career, was an electric presence, but he was also given an extraordinary amount of space. Lions defenders will be waking in fright after a dirty night where they were systematically pulled apart.

Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage, as ever, tried hard and were Brisbane’s best. But there was no need for Melbourne to lock down on Neale. They simply backed their own bigger, stronger and deeper midfield to get the job done.

Angus Brayshaw, relishing his return to the centre square, was again enormous. Petracca and Oliver were as ever; Oliver won’t have done his Brownlow medal chances any harm with another dominant performance. James Harmes made a timely return.

It was a warning to Melbourne’s rivals. They are far from done yet. You could throw a blanket over them; they didn’t have a player who failed to contribute on the night, and found a level they’ve seldom reached this season.

They’ve found it twice now against the Lions, who were again left exposed. They were undisciplined and embarrassed, and look a fair way short of the serious September challenge.

Brisbane Lions 1.1 2.3 5.6 8.9 (57)
Melbourne 6.2 13.3 17.4 18.7 (115)
Goals – Brisbane Lions: Daniher 2 McCluggage 2 McStay McCarthy Rayner Robinson. Melbourne: Pickett 4 Fritsch 4 Brown 3 Petracca 2 Lever Langdon Melksham Neal-Bullen Jackson
Best – Brisbane Lions: Neale McCluggage Rich McInerney. Melbourne: Oliver Petracca Brayshaw Pickett May Fritsch
Injuries – Brisbane Lions: Berry (ankle) substituted by Robinson. Melbourne: Salem (groin soreness) replaced in selected side by Bowey; Jackson (knee) substituted by Jordon
Umpires: Stevic Stephens Hosking
Crowd: 32,172 at the Gabba.

VOTES

C Oliver (M) 9
C Petracca (M) 8
A Brayshaw (M) 8
K Pickett (M) 7
S May (M) 7