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 250th 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 200th. 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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