We up to Round 5 and we coming in hot Melbourne! We're facing The Dees at the MCG. 

Who: Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions
Where: MCG, Melbourne
When: Thursday 11th April at 7:30pm (local)
Gates Open: 6:00pm, check your ticket for your entry gate.

Weekly Notices
→ Open Captains Run at the MCG, 3pm. 

Tickets → Round 5 tickets are still on sale here.

Lions Shop → Open at the MCG on game day outside Gate 2 from 5pm.

Food & Entertainment →  To be confirmed.

Address → Brunton Ave, Richmond VIC 3002

Trains → There are two train stations close to the MCG. Jolimont (otherwise known as MCG Station) is north of the ground and offers a five-minute stroll through Yarra Park to the ground. From any railway station in the central business district, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines. The other station is Richmond on the south eastern side of the MCG. It's a slightly longer walk to the ground but you can walk past the Punt Road Oval to the Shane Warne Stand side. To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines. ^{Advice from Public Transport Victoria for MCG patrons.}

Trams → Three tram routes provide access to the MCG.
No. 75 (City-Vermont South) travels along Flinders St and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade. 
No. 48 (Docklands/City-North Balwyn) travels along Collins Street and connects with the eastern suburbs via Wellington Parade. Both these routes stop just outside the MCG. 
No. 70 (Docklands/City-Wattle Park) travels along Flinders Street then detours via Melbourne Park and the tram stop is a short walk across the footbridge to the ground.

Buses → The Bus route 246 is run by National Bus Company, which links La Trobe University with Elsternwick Station in a useful service for patrons from the northern and southern suburbs. The 246 stops in Punt Road, just a punt kick from the ground.

Car → Car parking is usually available at the MCG in Yarra Park on event days. This land is controlled by the Melbourne Cricket Club and managed on event days by Care Park. Parking costs $10 per vehicle and is payable by eftpos only. Please note that we can no longer accept cash and vehicles unable to pay via card will unfortunately not be allowed entry to Yarra Park. Please note that, in an effort to improve safety in the park, pedestrians are given priority in Yarra Park when exiting MCG events. This is expected to cause a delay to vehicles being able to exit the park. ^{View latest details about car park opening times.} Occasionally parts of Yarra Park are closed to save the grass after heavy rain. Street parking is very limited. Parking in high-rise parking buildings in the CBD is another option for MCG visitors.

Accessible parking → A designated accessible parking area is available in Yarra Park, subject to capacity. Vehicles must display a valid accessible parking permit. For the Shane Warne Stand and AFL Members Reserve, enter either via Punt Road (Yarra Park Gates 5 or 6) or Brunton Avenue (Yarra Park Gate 7) if you wish to obtain a parking spot as close to the designated entry gate as possible. MCC members and public patrons heading to the Ponsford Stand, Members Pavilion or Olympic Stand should enter Yarra Park via Wellington Parade South (Yarra Park Gate 3, Wellington Parade South).

Bicycles → While bicycles are not permitted to enter the stadium, nor park on the MCG concourse, there are a number of bicycle hoops located next to the stadium in Yarra Park. For major events during the summer, additional bike parking facilities will be available in the western section of Yarra Park, adjacent to the cricket nets outside Gate 1. ^{Please note: These facilities are not manned by security personnel and it is the responsibility of the cyclist to secure the bicycle before entering the stadium.}

Taxi/Ride share → In front of Pullman Hotel, corner of Wellington Parade and Clarendon Street in East Melbourne. Outside Rod Laver Arena on Olympic Boulevard (previously known as Swan Street). For patrons with mobility issues, a taxi pickup and drop-off area is available at the Bus Turning Circle, Jolimont Terrace, before and after MCG events.

Watch → Free to air on Channel 7 or stream on Fox Footy or Kayo. Broadcast kicking off at 7pm.

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Both teams jumped out to leads of at least 25 points at various stages of the night, but it was Melksham – who started the game in awfully shaky fashion, booting one out on the full, dropping a mark and hitting the post – who was ultimately the hero in the 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104) victory. The Lions were 28 points ahead in the third quarter but, much as they did earlier this year in the infamous lights-out game between the pair, went into their shells while the Dees finished full of running. Some young gun magic from Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher helped strike crucial blows, Hugh McCluggage worked overtime to control the tempo of the game, and then it was Melbourne's turn to fail to capitalise on inside 50s. 

MELBOURNE  6.2   8.3   12.4   16.9   (105)
BRISBANE     3.3   8.4   15.7   16.8   (104)
 
GOALS
Brisbane: Gunston 3, McCarthy 2, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, Daniher 2, McInerney, Ashcroft, Fletcher, Lyons, Hipwood
 
BEST
Brisbane: Daniher, McCluggage, Neale, Ashcroft, Andrews, Bailey

Crowd: 38,030

Thursday night footy at the G, it just sounds right.

Big stage, bright lights and a blockbuster clash against a modern-day foe, the Dees, has us pumped up and ready to go!

So, bring your sunblock, because we’re stepping through the gates of hell to dance with the devil as we dive into this week’s match preview.

Last Time We Met

Last time: Melbourne 16.9 (105) d Brisbane Lions 16.8 (104), Round 18, 2023

We won’t sugar coat it but our last outing at the G against the Dees didn’t quite follow the script. Up by 21 points at three quarter time, two late Jake Melksham goals as part of a four-goal burst in less than seven minutes saw Melbourne come from nowhere and grasp victory.

Although we didn’t come home with the four points that day, there were plenty of positives. Hugh McCluggage (22 disposals, 10 marks, 2 clearances) worked overtime to control the tempo of the game, while Jaspa Fletcher (14 disposals and a goal) stood up at critical points of the game to land crucial blows.

We go unchanged into the MCG clash tonight with the same squad that defeated North Melbourne in Gather Round and believe us the boys are raring to go to make it two on the trot.

Excited About

Lachie’s 250^th Game!

Who would’ve thunk it, the kid from Kybybolite.

A Dual Brownlow Medallist, 3 x All-Australian, 5 x Best & Fairest (three Merrett Murray Medals and two Doig Medals), Leigh Matthews Trophy, AFLCA Player of the Year, what hasn’t he done.

As he runs out onto the hallowed turf of the MCG, Choc will stamp yet another indelible mark on the AFL record books as the biggest 250-game possession winner in history. Better yet, historically Neale has one omen on his side, a perfect 4-0 record in milestones games – wins with Fremantle in his 50th and 100th games and with Brisbane in his 150th and 200^th. Excited would be an understatement but for Lions Fans Choc has been a marvel to watch, and we can’t wait to see what the Lion King will do under the bright lights at the MCG against a stacked Melbourne midfield.  

The Stats That Put Lachie At The Top Of The 250 Tree

Match-ups we're keen for

Max Gawn vs Oscar McInerney

Godzilla vs Kong, Optimus Prime vs Megatron, Ali vs Fraser are just a few heavyweight bouts that come to mind when thinking about big match-ups.

But Max Gawn vs Oscar McInerney… boy oh boy, we’ve got ourselves a classic. Two of the competitions premier ruckman will dual it out in the middle of footy’s colosseum to try and give their respective midfields the silver service they need to break from contest and deliver to each other’s forward lines.

Both men have had strong starts to season 2024, McInerney averaging 33.5 hit-outs, 5.5 clearances and 13 disposals whilst Gawn has posted equally impressive figures averaging 37 hit-outs, 4.6 clearances and 18.4 disposals. Set to be a physical contest in wet conditions, this dual alone could very well determine who takes home the win.

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Brisbane has celebrated Lachie Neale's 250th game with its first win at the MCG since 2022, posting a 22-point victory over Melbourne on Thursday night.

In wintery conditions, the Lions held the Demons to their lowest three-quarter time score in four years, ultimately finishing the game 12.10 (82) to 8.12 (60) winners. A late surge from Melbourne wasn't enough to overcome the 43-point deficit at the final change.

Charlie Cameron shook off a slow start to the season to kick three goals, as did Eric Hipwood, who kicked two of his own.

The game was won in the middle, with Brisbane handing Melbourne a belting at the contest. Typically powerhouses around the footy, the combination of Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, and Clayton Oliver had just 61 disposals and 10 clearances for the game. Meanwhile, the Lions were utterly dominant, led by Cam Rayner's 25 disposals and nine clearances, alongside Lachie Neale (24 disposals, eight clearances) and Josh Dunkley (30 disposals, nine marks).

In the final term, the Demons did find a groove in the middle, throwing Trent Rivers into the mix as a point of difference, and enjoying some dangerous forward entries as a result, but it was simply too little, too late.

Brisbane's twin towers got the visitor off to an impressive start. Conscious of Melbourne's duo of Steven May and Jake Lever, Lions Hipwood and Joe Daniher (15 disposals, two goals) were strong in attack early. The pair were playing in front and quick to react, and as a result, beneficiaries of repeated opportunities out on the lead.

Usually so well-organised defensively, Melbourne was often caught guarding grass rather than a direct opponent, and the Lions capitalised. Working patiently through the Demons' defensive setup, they often found free players in space, and made the most of their speed on the outside.

Brisbane adapted well to the modes of the game, knowing when to take the game on and also willing to slow down and maintain possession when needed.

Where the Lions found space with ease, Melbourne had the opposite experience. Often scrappy and rushed under the Lions' relentless press, the home side struggled to neatly send the ball forward to give its targets the best chance to win the footy. That high Lions press was largely to blame for the limited output of Melbourne's forward quartet of Bayley Fritsch, Ben Brown, Jacob van Rooyen, and Harrison Petty.

For large portions of the game, Melbourne simply could not move the ball past the ground's halfway point as the Lions' talls dominated the air. The Demons often kicked to an outnumber, conceding the mark, or being swarmed on the deck.

Max Gawn did all he could to will his team on with 23 disposals and eight clearances to go with his 51 hitouts, often trying to be aggressive at the contest, spiking the ball long or taking possession himself. Meanwhile, Kade Chandler was a workhorse, with 18 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal for the night.

Brisbane's twin towers

The Lions came into the game with a plan of attack, a way to minimise the impact of Demons pair Jake Lever and Steven May. Avoiding long, high kicks into attack, instead they were more considerate kicking inside 50, opting for low, darting kicks into leading teammates. By limiting Lever and May's ability to impact in the air, Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood were able to get the visitors off to a strong start, kicking two goals each across the opening term. The connection between midfield and forward for Brisbane was clear, with Daniher and Hipwood identifying space and leading quickly, also helped by the likes of Lincoln McCarthy and Charlie Cameron who cleverly created those pockets of space.

A big quarter from Cam

As Brisbane fired a warning shot in a dominant opening quarter, Cam Rayner was the main instigator at the source. In the first term alone Rayner racked up 12 disposals, six clearances and seven inside 50s, enjoying more midfield minutes than he has been afforded over the opening month of the season. Often he was able to find time and space around the contest, with the Demons more conscious of Rayner's teammates Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley. Rayner went on to finish the game with 25 disposals, nine clearances and 417 metres gained, signalling that spending more time in the middle might be on the cards across the remainder of the season.

Early pain for Melbourne

The Demons were forced to activate their sub not even 10 minutes into the match, with classy user Christian Salem out of the game with a hamstring injury. After challenging for a loose ball out on the far wing, Salem was slow to rise, and lame as he slowly made his way across the ground aided by a trainer. Young forward Taj Woewodin was subbed into the game, taking up Salem's position in defence for the remainder of the game, experiencing his first loss eight matches into his career.

MELBOURNE          2.0     2.4       3.7       8.12 (60)
BRISBANE               4.2     7.4     10.8     12.10 (82)

GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 2, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen, Lever, Gawn, Chandler, Brown
Brisbane: Cameron 3, McCluggage 2, Hipwood 2, Daniher 2, Lohmann, Fletcher, Bailey

BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Chandler, Viney, Rivers
Brisbane: Rayner, McCluggage, Dunkley, Neale, Andrews, Bailey

INJURIES
Melbourne: Salem (hamstring)
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Taj Woewodin (replaced Christian Salem in the first quarter)
Brisbane: James Tunstill (unused)

Crowd: 43,098 at the MCG