THE BRISBANE Lions have extended Melbourne's Etihad Stadium hoodoo, condemning the Demons to their 19th-straight loss at the venue with a 23-point win on Sunday.
Both teams struggled for fluency throughout the low-scoring clash, but the Lions broke the match open with a six-goal final quarter.
Melbourne had led by a game-high 14 points early in the final term, but had no answers to the Lions' fourth quarter onslaught.
In a game that reflected the teams' positions in the bottom four on the ladder, the Lions battled to an 11.8 (74) to 6.15 (51) victory.
Their sixth win for the season lifted the Lions two wins clear of the race for the wooden spoon in 15th spot and level with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.
Melbourne remains in 17th, 11.7 per cent ahead of bottom-placed St Kilda.
Justin Leppitsch's men were lucky to still be in the clash at the final change and Melbourne's wastefulness in front of goal came back to bite.
The Dees only led 43-36 at three-quarter time despite having 18 scoring shots to 12.
The Lions had only kicked five goals to the final change but they broke the shackles in the last quarter and more than doubled their score.
Rohan Bail put the Demons 13 points up two minutes into the last quarter and the Dees looked to have done enough.
But Daniel Merrett, who was reported for a late hit in the fourth term that left Cam Pedersen with a suspected broken nose, had other ideas.
The Lions spearhead kicked truly at the nine-minute mark, sparking a six-goal run with Jed Adcock, Michael Close, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood and Lewis Taylor getting in on the act.
Tom Rockliff was outstanding for the Lions with 32 disposals, while Rohan Bewick put in a solid four-quarter effort on the wing and finished with 27 touches.
Pearce Hanley again showed his class across half-back with 24 touches and Daniel McStay booted three goals.
Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones could hold his head high after the Demons' six-straight loss.
The tough midfielder finished with 30 disposals and a goal, while Dom Tyson had 27 possessions and one major.
Melbourne free agent James Frawley presented well all day in attack, taking 10 marks and kicking one goal.
The Lions notched their third win from the past five games, while the Demons have now not won at Etihad Stadium since round 19, 2007.
MELBOURNE 3.3 4.8 5.13 6.15 (51)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 4.3 5.6 11.8 (74)
GOALS
Melbourne: Kent 2, Frawley, N. Jones, Tyson, Bail
Brisbane Lions: McStay 2, Close 2, Beams, Hanley, McStay, Merrett, Adcock, Harwood, Taylor
BEST
Melbourne: Howe, N. Jones, Tyson, Frawley, Terlich,
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Bewick, Martin, Adcock, Hanley, Gardiner, McStay
INJURIES
Melbourne: McDonald (ankle), Pedersen (nose)
Brisbane Lions: Maguire (foot)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jay Kennedy-Harris replaced Luke Tapscott in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Ash McGrath replaced Ryan Lester in the third quarter
Reports: Daniel Merrett (Brisbane Lions) reported for striking Cam Pedersen (Melbourne) in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Donlon, Harris, O'Gorman
Official crowd: 18,079 at Etihad Stadium
