FORM GUIDE
Both the Lions and Melbourne have struggled for form in the opening month of the season, and sit 16th and 17th respectively on the AFL ladder. Only the winless GWS Giants are placed lower.

The Demons, however, are coming off a stirring seven-goal win against the Giants triggered by a remarkable 12-goal final term, while the Lions were left licking their wounds following a humbling defeat against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

The Lions still head into the match as warm favourites, but must be wary of the ‘fired up’ Demons. 

Home ground advantage could prove a deciding factor, with the Lions set to play in front of their home Gabba crowd for just the second time this year.

SELECTION TABLE
The Lions have made at least five changes to the side that was defeated by 63-points against the Roos, with potentially more to come before Friday’s final team is announced. 

James Polkinghorne, Elliot Yeo, Aaron Cornelius and debutant Justin Clarke have been named in the starting 18, while at least one of Billy Longer, Patrick Karnezis, Ryan Lester and Jack Crisp will form part of the interchange bench.

It will be one of their Club’s most inexperienced sides in recent years – with 13 of their 25-man squad having played 25 senior AFL games or less (including four players with two games or less).

To compound matters, the Lions will be without Daniel Rich (shoulder) and Pearce Hanley (suspension) – arguably two of the team’s most important players.

Melbourne have been forced the make one change, with former Lion Mitch Clark unable to make the trip north for the second consecutive year due to a foot injury, while Neville Jetta (suspension) and Jack Viney (rested) will also miss.

The Demons have injected some experience back into their squad with the inclusion of David Rodan and Jordie McKenzie. 

KEY MATCH-UPS
Human highlight reel Jeremy Howe has produced countless ‘mark of the year’ contenders in recent years, but can also back it up on the scoreboard.

Howe was the Demons’ most dangerous forward last week with four goals, and has proven a difficult match-up for opposition teams given he’s a quick medium-sized forward with a terrific aerial capacity.

Joel Patfull seems the most likely match-up for Howe, considering the reigning Lions Club Champion possesses similar traits.

With Daniel Rich sidelined, it will also be interesting to see which Lions player (if any) will be allocated a midfield tag.

Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff would probably be first in line, with Jordie McKenzie the man most likely to perform the run-with role.   

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brent Moloney has been one of the Lions’ better contributors so far in 2013, and will be eager to play well against his former side in his 150th milestone match.

Moloney moved to Brisbane at the end of last year after playing 122 matches with the Demons and winning their 2011 Best and Fairest award.

He can expect plenty of attention from his former teammates.

Moloney might even go head-to-head with Demons midfielder Nathan Jones, who has become Melbourne’s new ‘clearance machine’.

Jones almost single-handedly lifted his side over the line last weekend, winning possessions at will and contributing to the scoreboard when his side needed it the most.  

MISSING IN ACTION
The Lions’ injury list has grown significantly in the past two weeks, with Daniel Rich (shoulder) and Stefan Martin (ankle) the latest casualties.

Martin’s injury means that he will miss the opportunity play against his former side for the first time.

For Melbourne, Clark won’t be the only quality key forward sidelined with an injury. Former Collingwood premiership player Chris Dawes is also still a week or two away from making his debut with the Demons, after suffering a hamstring injury during the pre-season. 

GOAL-KICKERS
Only two Lions players – Jonathan Brown (6) and Josh Green (5) – have kicked five goals or more so far this season, while Melbourne has four – Mitch Clark (7), Jeremy Howe (7), Aaron Davey (5) and Shannon Byrnes (5).

The Lions have tried to rectify their need for more avenues to goal by re-calling Aaron Cornelius who was the team’s leading goal-kicker throughout the pre-season competition.

Ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Billy Longer (if selected) could also find themselves forward at times in the absence of Stefan Martin.    

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions broke a three-game losing streak against Melbourne last year with two emphatic wins – by 41 points (in Round 1 at the MCG) and 61 points (in Round 14 at the Gabba).

Interestingly, Pearce Hanley was among the Lions’ best in both games but will be out of action this Sunday while he serves a one-match suspension for striking.