Melbourne have breathed new life into their AFL finals charge with a come-from-behind victory over Brisbane at the MCG.
The Demons kicked the first four goals of the match in quick time but the Lions chipped away at the lead and then had the game all but won midway through the final term.
Instead Melbourne kicked the final four goals of the game to win by a point, Jake Melksham sealing victory with a clutch set shot.
Analysis, local footy and the biggest moments, Seven and 7plus are the home of footy shows for every fan. Stream them all for free on 7plus >>
“We’re doing so much work on our goalkicking (but) it’s hard to emulate this,” he told Channel 7 in reference to the MCG atmosphere.
Asked by Abbey Holmes for a look into the mindset of being four goals down with eight minutes left on the clock, Melksham almost cut off the question to offer an answer.
“There’s plenty of time,” he said.
“Eight minutes is a long time. That’s what you can’t do – panic when you get to that moment.
“We didn’t go to our ‘win the game’ play until the last minute. Even three minutes is a long time.”
Brisbane launched a final attack in the dying seconds of the game but a dramatic Jake Lever mark in a contest with Eric Hipwood settled the result.
“I thought Lever had more of it but it’s hard to know,” Tigers great Matthew Richardson said.
“Lever could get a free kick too, because (Hipwood) had him in a headlock.”
Melbourne prevailed 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104) to sit just a game behind the third-placed Lions in a crucial result for both teams’ premiership prospects.
Coming into Friday night’s match with 12 straight regular-season losses at the grand final venue dating back to 2015, the shell-shocked Lions conceded the first four goals of the game in the opening five minutes.
After surviving the early carnage, led by red-hot Demons star Christian Petracca, the Lions settled to dominate the second and third terms by booting 12.4 to 6.2.
Leading by 22 points at the final change, Brisbane looked to be home, but the Demons made an unlikely late run as the Lions’ midfield dominance stopped.
Chris Fagan has constantly bristled at questions why his team struggles at the Melbourne colosseum, but the Lions have won there just once in their past 15 visits.
The Demons racked up their biggest score in nine weeks as their under-fire forward line functioned better.
Petracca starred with his second four-goal haul in as many weeks, creating problems for the Lions’ defence in a more unpredictable Demons forward-half.
Melbourne defender Harrison Petty was eventually substituted out in the third quarter after struggling with a back injury, replaced by Joel Smith.
The Demons went in with captain Max Gawn as their main ruckman after opting to axe star recruit Brodie Grundy as the Demons hope he can hone his forward craft in the VFL.
Star Lions forward Joe Daniher had a dominant night with a team-high 24 possessions and was influential up forward and in the ruck.
Lions veteran Jack Gunston overcame a slow start to kick three majors, backing up a six-goal haul last week against West Coast in an impressive return after spending four weeks in a “training block”.
Melbourne host Adelaide at the MCG next Sunday, while the Lions are back at the Gabba to face reigning premiers Geelong.
– with AAP
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.