Brisbane Lions v Melbourne
Saturday 31 March 2012
MCG @ 1:45pm (local time)
NEAFL STATE LEAGUE SEASON: ROUND 2
Brisbane Lions Reserves vs Broadbeach
Saturday 31 March 2012
H&A Oval @ 11.30am (local time)
LIONS v MELBOURNE HEAD TO HEAD
The Lions have won 10 of their 19 matches against Melbourne for a winning percentage of 53%.
Biggest win: 85 points @ The MCG in Round 12 1997
Biggest loss: 95 points @ The MCG in Round 18 1998
Most goals (for): Daniel Bradshaw (9) @ The Gabba in Round 14 2005
Most goals (against): David Neitz (7) @ The Gabba in Round 14 2002
RECENT HISTORY
2008: Round 6 - 19.23 (137) to 13.7 (85) @ The Gabba - Won by 52
2008: Round 14 - 13.14 (92) to 14.9 (93) @ The MCG - Lost by 1
2009: Round 13 - 16.15 (111) to 8.8 (56) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 55
2010: Round 5 - 7.11 (53) to 15.13 (103) @ The MCG - Lost by 50
2010: Round 18 - 9.10 (64) to 11.8 (74) @ The Gabba - Lost by 10
2011: Round 3 - 11.5 (71) to 12.10 (82) @ The MCG - Lost by 11
LAST TIME THEY MET
The Lions travelled to Melbourne for their first hit-out at the MCG for the year and were greeted with both pouring rain and sunshine.
The Lions started the game superbly, taking a 25-point lead into quarter time courtesy of strong defensive pressure and two goals from Luke Power, before the Demons fought back to bring the margin to six by half time.
The Demons edged ahead in the third term with goals from Colin Sylvia, Jamie Bennell and Lynden Dunn to take a 16-point lead into the fourth quarter, before a low-scoring final term saw the Demons run out 11-point victors.
Liam Jurrah proved unstoppable, booting five goals for the day, while eventual Club Champion Tom Rockliff was among the Lions’ best with 29 disposals. Debutant Jared Polec impressed with his 11 touches in the first quarter and his willingness to put his body on the line against opponent Rohan Bail.
Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 - B. Moloney (Melb), 2 - L. Jurrah (Melb), 1 - L. Power (Bris)
FAST FOOTY FACTS
This Saturday will be the Lions’ first of just two matches at the MCG this year.
The 2012 off-season has seen a host of new players join the Lions’ ranks who may be poised to debut in the Lions colours this weekend, including Ben Hudson (Bulldogs), Jordan Lisle (Hawthorn) and highly-rated young ruckman Billy Longer (2011 AFL Draft).
Utility Mitch Clark joined the Demons via 2011 Trade Week after 82 games in six years with the Lions.
Assistant Coach Jade Rawlings also signed with Melbourne at the end of the 2011 season following two years as the Lions’ defensive coach.
The Lions faced Melbourne in the first round of the 2012 NAB Cup at Metricon Stadium in the pouring rain. In a scrappy contest severely marred by the weather conditions, Melbourne finished the night with a 3-point win.
Skipper Jonathan Brown will miss the first two rounds of the 2012 season following an unlucky training collision, while utility Brent Staker will miss the full season after undergoing a knee reconstruction in February.
Ten Lions have played more than 100 senior games, with seven more in the 50 game bracket from a list of 48 players. Tom Rockliff (40 games), Todd Banfield (41 games), Pearce Hanley (34 games) and Sam Sheldon (40 games) are set to hit the 50-game milestone in 2012.
