The Brisbane Lions have been far from a one man goal-kicking band this year.

In previous seasons, the team has generally relied heavily on Captain Jonathan Brown to kick a winning score, but this trend seems to be changing.

Their resounding win over the Western Bulldogs last weekend was a prime example of a wide-ranging scoreboard contribution.

Although Brown went goalless, Daniel Merrett and Ash McGrath stepped up with bags of four and five goals respectively, while Rohan Bewick, Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff also kicked multiples.

The Lions had eight different goal-kickers; which kept the Dogs guessing every time the ball entered their attacking arc.

Scoring spread was an area defender Josh Drummond last week nominated as critical to his team’s success in the back-end of the season.

“It’s something we’ve been working on this year-not expecting too much from one player, so that oppositions don’t just focus on that one main guy up forward,” Drummond said.

So far in 2012, Merrett has scored 13% of the Lions’ majors, Brown 12%, and attacking midfielders Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff 8% each.

On the other hand, former Lion Mitch Clark has proven more integral to Melbourne’s scoreboard impact than any other player in the AFL; and there’s no doubting he’ll be sorely missed by Melbourne this Sunday at the Gabba after suffering a season-ending foot injury last weekend.

Statistics show that Clark has kicked 25% of the Demons’ goals in 2012, to rank him ahead of Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin (22%) and Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt (21%).

While this stat might suggest that Clark’s absence will hinder Melbourne’s ability to kick a winning score, it could also have the opposite effect as their forward line structure becomes more unpredictable.

The high-leaping Jeremy Howe is the Demons’ next highest goal-kicker, while regular defenders Colin Garland and Jared Rivers have recently proven dangerous when shifted into attack.

Even with Clark on the sidelines, the Lions defenders certainly won’t be underestimating Melbourne’s ability to share the load up forward.

After all, the Lions have been far more dangerous in attack when using multiple avenues to goal.