CONVERTING OPPORTUNITIES

Melbourne might have more scoring shots than the Lions last Sunday (21-19), but that statistic probably didn’t do justice to the amount of time spent inside the visitors’ forward line.

In fact, the Lions had almost twice as many inside 50s than the Demons (60-34) but were stifled by the home team’s defence – that was, until the floodgates opened in that final term.

Melbourne were super-efficient going forward, scoring 61% of the time they went inside 50 – compared to the Lions’ 32%.

YOUNG FORWARDS FIRE

With the ‘Mozzie Squad’ held to just one goal between them on Sunday, youngsters Daniel McStay and Michael Close stood tall to ensure the Brisbane Lions could kick a winning score.

In just his fifth AFL game, McStay booted a game-high three goals – his third coming from a brilliant contested mark which gave the Lions an 11-point buffer late in the final term.

Close continued his promising 2014 campaign with two majors – making him just the sixth Lions player to reach double-figure goals this season.

The big country Victorian seems to be getting better each week, and finished the game with career-best figures in kicks (10), inside 50s (3), and one percenters (4).

At 19 and 20 respectively, McStay and Close gave fans an insight into how the Lions’ forward set-up might function in the future.

You would expect both would come under serious consideration for the Round 19 Rising Star nomination announced – along with defender Darcy Gardiner (18 disposals – at 94% efficiency – and an equal game-high 12 marks).

POSSESSION-WINNERS

For the ninth time in 15 games this season, Tom Rockliff amassed 30 or more disposals in a game.

Despite some heavy attention, Rockliff finished with a game-high 32 touches to go along with a game-high seven tackles.

It might have been a far cry from his 47 against Gold Coast one week earlier, but should still go close to netting him at least a couple of Brownlow Medal votes in September.

Rohan Bewick was the Lions’ second highest possession-getter with 27. It the second best return of Bewick’s career, after his 30-disposal performance against the Bulldogs in Round 12.

To top things off, Bewick also had a game-high eight inside 50s.    

STEF FACES OLD DEMONS

In his first outing against his former side, Stefan Martin was enormous (again) – with an equal career-best 24 touches, 23 hitouts, six marks, eight clearances, and five inside 50s.

He clearly won the ruck duel against former mentor Mark Jamar, who finished with 12 touches, 31 hitouts, one mark, and five clearances.

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK

Lions Captain Jed Adcock produced one of his finest performances for 2014 on Sunday, with 23 disposals, nine marks, and a season-high six inside 50s against the Demons.

Adcock also helped ignite the team in the final term with a terrific running goal – his first for the season.

AFL FANTASY TOP FIVE
1. Jed Adcock – 115 points
2. Stefan Martin – 114 points
3. Tom Rockliff – 110 points
4. Pearce Hanley – 102 points
5. Jack Crisp – 96 points

WHO WAS BEST?
Afl.com.au listed Rockliff, Bewick, Martin, Adcock, Pearce Hanley (24 disposals), Gardiner, McStay, but who do YOU think were the team’s three best players?

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