Melbourne have overturned a 28-point deficit to beat the Brisbane Lions by one level in one of many video games of the season on the MCG on Friday night time.
The Lions appeared to cruising to victory when Joe Daniher put them up by 26 factors early within the last time period by kicking his second objective of the night time.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
However, Melbourne refused to provide in, and when Jack Viney ripped the ball from Oscar McInerney’s grasp on the stoppage and booted it house from 20m out, he received the Demons again inside 5 factors with 2:12 to go.
And with 33 seconds to go, Jake Melksham was the hero as he took a spectacular pack mark from three deep, earlier than slotting the set shot from 45m out to place the Demons again in entrance.
Melbourne survived one final scare on the ultimate siren when Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood claimed a contested mark 50m out from objective, however the umpire rightly paid the seize to Jake Lever, sending the Melbourne devoted in attendance into delirium as they held on 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104).
But Melbourne themselves let a sizeable lead slip too. After they booted the primary 4 targets of the sport inside eight minutes, to skip out to an early 25-point lead, the Lions took complete management of the match.
Brisbane’s foot abilities dramatically improved they usually dominated the ball after turning the tide in the midst of the bottom as Melbourne’s ahead synergy began to fray.
The Lions’ benefit stretched out to a game-high 28 factors within the third stanza after booting their second run of 4 consecutive targets, as they smashed the Demons within the territory battle.
The superior working capability that Brisbane’s vaunted on-ball brigade displayed seemingly overwhelmed the Oliver-less Demons midfield.
However, the Demons had different concepts they usually kicked the final 4 targets after the ball spent more often than not of their ahead half within the last time period.
In the tip Melbourne smashed Brisbane in contested possessions (145-126) and clearances (45-32), regardless of lacking Clayton Oliver towards Brisbane’s stacked midfield group.
The outcome, and the style of the loss, will solely gas dialogue about Brisbane’s MCG curse The Lions beat Melbourne there in final 12 months’s finals of their solely win on the MCG since 2014.
GAWN THRIVES WITHOUT GRUNDY
Max Gawn clearly relished the prospect to be Melbourne’s sole ruckman, after Brodie Grundy was sensationally dropped, and he completed with 29 disposals (21 contested), 5 marks, 10 clearances, seven tackles, 38 hit-outs and a objective.
Christian Petracca was as soon as once more excellent up ahead for the Demons, registering 26 disposals (16 contested), seven clearances and 4 targets.
For Brisbane, Joe Daniher was spectacular and he beat star Melbourne defender Steven May so convincingly within the first half that the Demons have been pressured to maneuver Harrison Petty onto him after the primary break.
But that didn’t final lengthy after Petty was subbed out within the third time period attributable to an unspecified damage. It pressured May to return onto Daniher within the last quarter, and Daniher continued to influence the competition and completed with 24 touches, eight marks and two targets.
FABULOUS FLETCHER
Will Ashcroft would possibly rightfully be stealing all of the limelight from a Brisbane father-son perspective this 12 months, however Jaspa Fletcher confirmed within the second time period that he’s no slouch both. After courageously going again with the flight of the ball on the outer wing towards Melbourne’s Lachie Hunter, he received the competition, gathered the unfastened ball, took a bounce, and drilled a sensational objective from 45m out to get Brisbane inside 5 factors.
BOWEY MAKES MCKENNA PAY
Brisbane defender Conor McKenna had a second he would slightly overlook early within the second interval when he tried to identify up Ashcroft type the kick-in. Unfortunately for the Irishman, he booted the ball over the No.2 decide’s head, permitting Melbourne’s Jake Bowey to gather the unfastened capsule and kick the straightforward objective from 40m out to place the Demons up by 24 factors.
Source: www.news.com.au
