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Posted:
2024-04-11 08:37:17
Original link:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-11/afl-round-five-melbourne-demons-brisbane-lions-mcg-live-blog/103697448
The resurgent Brisbane Lions have recorded their first home-and-away win at the MCG since 2014 after stunning Melbourne by 22 points.
Heading to the Victorian capital under pressure, the ferocious Lions dominated the Demons with a relentless performance in dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale's 250th game on Thursday night.
Trailing by 43 points at three-quarter-time, Melbourne put through some late goals as Brisbane ran out winners 12.10 (82) to 8.12 (60) to get their season back on track after opening 2024 with three straight defeats.
In their first game at the MCG since losing last year's grand final to Collingwood, the Lions snapped their infamous losing run at the venue.
Although Brisbane memorably defeated the Demons in the 2022 semi-final, the Lions had not won at the MCG in a home-and-away game since round 21, 2014.
The tone was set early, with the Lions leading by 14 points at quarter-time after winning the clearances for the term 20-8.
Coming off four-straight wins, Melbourne were unable to handle the Lions' intensity as the visitors laid 83 tackles to 51.
Former number one draft pick Cam Rayner had one of the best outings of his 118-game career, exploding out of the blocks with 12 possessions and six clearances in the first quarter and finished with 25 touches.
Brisbane's forward line is back in sync, with Charlie Cameron returning to form with three goals, while spearheads Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood slotted two each.
Capping off a dirty night for the Demons, they lost versatile defender Christian Salem to a potentially serious hamstring injury.
Salem was helped from the field in the first quarter and replaced by youngster Taj Woewodin.
Melbourne's three-quarter-time score of 3.7 (25) was their worst at a final break since round 16, 2020 — the COVID-19 affected season when games were shortened.
In desperation with the game already lost, superstar Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver was shifted into defence in the last quarter.
Brisbane had the top-four possession winners on the ground, with Jack Viney leading the way for Melbourne with 23.
The Lions will return to the Gabba next Saturday night for a monster clash with Geelong, while Melbourne have the bye next week before facing Richmond in round seven.
Catch up with all the action from our blog.
That is all for the blog tonight
A great night for Brisbane, and in all honesty, the 22-point margin flattered the Demons.
Cam Rayner was brilliant for the Lions, while Charlie Cameron kicked three big goals.
fittingly, our final image tonight is Lachie Neale being carried off victorious in his 250th game.
We will be back tomorrow to continue round 5.
Goodnight.
Melbourne will be disappointed but have a bye to regroup
This was not the Demons we saw go to Adelaide and achieve back-to-back wins.
They were beaten to the punch often tonight, and never held onto momentum for long enough.
The Demons have a week off, after a big start to the season.
Melbourne will want to chalk tonight up as a bad day, and move on to what looks to be a promising season.
Brisbane were great tonight, and will need to be going forward
Outstanding from Brisbane tonight.
They dominated Melbourne from start to finish.
However, Brisbane will not be afforded the luxury of thinking their season is back on track yet.
They have two big games coming up, starting with Geelong at home next Saturday.
Then they face the GWS Giants away.
Both teams are the early benchmark in 2024. If the Lions produce a similar performance like tonight, they will be two brilliant games.
Lachie Neale is rightly carried off the field
The dual Brownlow medalist is carried off the field, with a guard of honour formed by both Melbourne and Brisbane players.
"So proud of our effort tonight. I thought our pressure was unbelievable," he said post-match.
"We played a very similar brand to last week and it stood up against probably the best team in the comp at the moment."
Rayner says Brisbane will take confidence out of getting an MCG win
Brisbane's struggles at the MCG are well documented.
The Hoodoo of sorts has been broken a few times, including against Melbourne in the 2022 semifinal.
But tonight's win will give Brisbane plenty of heart.
"Last year we played a lot of good footy here. We just didn't finish off — one of those games was against Melbourne," Rayner said.
"To be able to turn that around this year, and probably really get our season kick-started now, is really exciting for the group."
Cam Rayner speaking after the match
Cam Rayner was a star tonight.
He had six clearances in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for the night.
"It's awesome," he told the Seven Network broadcast.
"This squad [has] been questioned this year.
"To come out and give this effort and this performance it's unbelievable — speaks volumes to our team."
FT: Brisbane Lions defeat Melbourne Demons 12.10 (82) to 8.12 (60)
Well done Brisbane.
They needed a big performance tonight and they delivered.
The margin could have been greater, but Melbourne lessened the deficit with five final quarter goals.
Melbourne reduce margin to four goals
It's too little, too late for Melbourne, but they have finished well.
Jake Lever gets the Demons fifth goal of the final term.
Lever was helped with a 50-metre piggyback which got him in easy range.
Bayley Fritsch gets his second goal for Melbourne
A nice piece of play for Melbourne — their best of the night.
The chain of play started in the defensive 50.
Petracca wins a contest in the middle of the ground which leads to Bayley Fritsch taking a mark inside forward 50 and converting the set shot.
Brisbane a putting together four good quarters
The Lions' attitude has been the star this evening.
This game is done, but the Brisbane players are still competing for everything.
The defensive work has been relentless, and it has not slowed down.
Melbourne kick two quick goals
Melbourne have back-to-back goals for the firs time tonight.
Max Gawn slotted a set shot between the posts, quickly followed by Jacob van Rooyen from the centre clearance.
The margin is 36 points.
A quick note, that is Gawn's 100th AFL goal.
Charlie sprints down that Country Road to end all hope for Melbourne
Oh Charlie that's brilliant.
Cameron takes a mark near the boundary on the 50.
He sees Jake Lever is the man on the mark.
Cameron decided he fancies that footrace, and he sprints past his former Adelaide teammate into the open goal square.
Brisbane again respond straight away
The Lions get an immediate reply.
All four Melbourne goal tonight have been answered immediately by the Lions.
This time it is from the centre clearance.
The Lions get it inside the forward 50 and Zac Bailey kicks a simple goal by his standards.
Outstanding Brisbane.
Ben Brown gets the first goal of the final quarter
Melbourne get the opening goal of the final term.
They kicked the opening goals of the first and third terms, and it has not panned out for them.
But for the moment, good play.
Ball goes into an attacking area and Ben Brown takes a strong mark in front of the pack.
Ryan Lester shining for the Lions
While a lot of tonight's focus has been — rightfully — on those up forward, Brisbane's backline has been great.
Ryan Lester has had a blinder through three quarters.
He has 14 disposals, seven marks and three tackles.
What will not come up on a stat sheet is the number of times he has disrupted a Demon from having a positive impact on the play.
Lions fans will be hoping this is a sign of things to come
Where has this been all season? Classic Charlie goal there…
- Alan
This has looked like the Lions of last year.
The side that came so close to lifting the premiership cup.
One more quarter to close this out, and the struggles of the first three matches will feel like a distant memory — for one weekend at least.
3QT: Lions lead by 43 at the final change
Outstanding from the Lions.
They conceded the first goal of the quarter, but they never lost their way.
Anytime the Dees have looked like gaining some ascendency, the Lions have quashed it.
They have trapped the ball inside their forward 50 and converted in front of goal.
When Melbourne look to attack, Brisbane's intensity in defence has stood up to all tasks.
Cameron intercepts in the forward 50 and converts — is Brisbane home?
Melbourne has flirted with the goal, but was unable to put it between the big sticks.
The Lions defence has been brilliant.
Brisbane again peppers Melbourne's backline.
Charlie Cameron, like a thief in the night, snatches a Melbourne handpass out of the air and snaps towards the goal.
The lead is 44 points. Brisbane are all over the Demons.
The game is there for Brisbane's taking
The lead is almost 40.
Melbourne are trapped in their defensive 50.
One more goal could be enough with a quarter-and-a-half to play.
What the Lions don't need are a couple of quick Melbourne goals — just to sow a seed of doubt into a side that has blown leads already this season.
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