THE BRISBANE Lions’ top-four hopes suffered a massive blow when the bottom-placed Melbourne pulled off a thrilling one-point win in one of the most dramatic games of 2008.
After leading for much of the day, the Demons booted two goals inside the final three minutes to regain the lead and then hung on to record just their second win of the year, upsetting the highly-fancied Lions 14.9 (93) to 13.14 (92).
The Lions had looked set for victory after an engrossing final term in which 11 goals were kicked, six of which came to the visitors and three to skipper Jonathan Brown.
After leading in the opening minutes, the Lions didn’t regain the lead until four minutes were left in the contest when Daniel Bradshaw was awarded a free kick in front of goal.
But Melbourne refused to give in, with Cameron Bruce swinging through a clever snap from 40m before four-goal hero Brad Miller took a strong mark in the goal square with just over a minute remaining.
After he put the Demons in front, Melbourne flooded the Lions’ front half and after a few packs formed, the Demons burst clear on the run.
Brad Green did boot a goal on the siren but his major was disallowed, leaving his team to celebrate one of their best wins in years.
For the Lions it was one that got away, and coach Leigh Matthews would be furious his team – intent on a top-four finish – let slip a golden opportunity after it led by 11 points late in the game.
Brown (five goals), Luke Power (32 disposals) and Simon Black (23 disposals and 10 clearances) were prolific for the Lions, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the irrepressible Demons.
Earlier, Melbourne made a spirited start to the round 14 clash.
With dark clouds lurking overhead, it looked like it was going to be one of those days for Matthews’ team.
Travis Johnstone was a late withdrawal and, with a week off on the horizon, a modest crowd at football’s home was hardly the environment to get the Lions revved up for a battle with the competition’s cellar dweller.
Brown marked and goaled inside the opening two minutes but from then on the Demons seized control.
They stifled the Lions’ run while the visitors made a number of costly clangers by foot.
Melbourne led by 19 points at the first change with Brad Miller (three first-term goals) doing the damage, and when Colin Sylvia booted his second early in the second term it was out to 25 points.
But, almost out of nowhere, the Lions were able to claw their way back into it.
Brown and then Daniel Bradshaw received free kicks to bring their side closer, and then Michael Rischitelli’s long bomb made the margin just a kick as the Lions roared to life.
The Demons had their chance to grab a goal and extend their margin after Power infringed on the interchange bench, stepping over the white line a moment before Black had come from the ground, however Paul Wheatley’s shot at goal from directly in front missed.
The two Lions were instrumental in their side’s fightback however, with Black’s work at the stoppages crucial while Power’s run around the ground gave is side enormous drive.
The Lions were struggling for fluency in attack, however, and the Demons again took control in the third term.
A three-point advantage at the long break grew to 20 midway through the third quarter when the dangerous Sylvia landed on the end of a floater but the Lions wouldn’t go away.
Rhan Hooper accepted Anthony Corrie’s neat pass to goal and when Bradshaw kicked his second, it was back to just eight points at the final change, setting up the deciding last quarter.
The Lions would charge, however the Dees would have the answers.
Next week Matthews’ side can put their feet up and prepare for the final eight weeks of the home and away season before tackling Essendon at Telstra Dome on July 12.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
MATCH DETAILS:
Melbourne 5.4 6.6 10.8 14.9 (93)
Brisbane Lions 2.3 5.9 9.13 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Melbourne: Sylvia 4 Miller 4 Wonaeamirri 2 Bate Bruce Green
Brisbane Lions : Brown 5 Bradshaw 4 Hooper 2 Patfull Rischitelli
BEST
Melbourne : Wheatley, Green, Johnson, Miller, Sylvia, Whelan, Jones
Brisbane Lions: Power, Brown, Rischitelli, Bradshaw, Black
INJURIES
Melbourne : McLean (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Johnstone (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Polkinghorne
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Head, Armstrong, Jeffery
Official crowd: 23,278 at the MCG
