Saturday nights Qualifying Final between Brisbane and Melbourne will answer one of the biggest footballing questions of 2021; What wins a game of footy, attack or defence?

This weekends clash looms as one of the most mouth-watering contests of the year, as the highly proficient Lions forward line take on the competitions best defence in Melbourne.

Statistically, Brisbane dominate the scoreboard more than any other team in the competition, having kicked 100+ points on ten occasions and averaging 97 points a game (#1 ranked team in the AFL for scoring).

And while Brisbane's scoring power is impressive enough, it's the way they're producing goals that provides the biggest headache for Simon Goodwin's team. 

In the last three weeks, both Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron have kicked eleven goals each, while Dan McStay and Lincoln McCarthy have kicked seven a piece.

Additionally, All-Australian squad members Dayne Zorko (3rd in AFL for Inside 50's) and Hugh McCluggage (#1 in AFL for efficiency Inside 50) will be looking to damage through the midfield. 

Conversely, the Melbourne defensive line concedes only an average of only 65 points a game in 2021 (#1 in AFL).

Jake Lever set the competition record for most intercept marks in a season, while fellow All-Australian squad member, Steven May racked up seven marks and 15 disposals in a near-best on ground performance last time the two teams met. 

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No.1 attack v No.1 defence: Who comes out on top?

Access All Areas looks at Brisbane's high-scoring attack and how it matches up against Melbourne, then checks in on the premiership market with Sportsbet

Speaking on Access All Areas about the contest, Damian Barrett suggested that this year’s finals series feels different for the Lions.

“Going into the 2019 finals series, the Lions went out in straight sets and last year they had the weight of the Grand Final at the Gabba, there’s nothing to lose now,” Barrett said.

“They’ve given themselves the double chance, they’ve had injuries to Rayner and Hipwood and they’ve covered them.

“There’s something different and refreshing about what they’re doing and there’s a freedom of mind.”

Essendon great, Matthew Lloyd also stated that while he’s backing the defensive efforts of Melbourne in Saturdays match, that the Lions list is in a great space.

“You look at their age demographic, no one’s really ageing, they’re in the window for a couple of years I would’ve thought.”