MELBOURNE has recorded its second win of the season – and one of its most stirring victories in recent years – after holding off the Brisbane Lions by just one point at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Demons 14.9 (93) defeated the Lions 13.14 (92) after Brad Miller kicked the winning goal, deep in time-on, at the 33-minute mark of the final term.
In a match that had plenty of highlights, Melbourne trailed by 11 points with just 2:45 left on the clock after Lions star Daniel Bradshaw booted the last two goals for his side.
But when Cameron Bruce with a brilliant goal on the run and Miller landed his fourth for the match with 70 seconds left, the Demons had achieved a day to remember in what has otherwise been a difficult season.
It was also a fine effort from a vastly new-look Melbourne side, considering older heads David Neitz, Adem Yze, Russell Robertson, James McDonald, Jeff White, Jared Rivers, Brent Moloney, Nathan Carroll and Ben Holland did not play for various reasons.
Still, it was some experienced Demons who stood tall in the win.
Aside from Miller, it was four Melbourne players who debuted in 2000 – Paul Wheatley (31 disposals), Brad Green (30), Matthew Whelan (32) and Cameron Bruce (24) – who stood tall. Green was the only member of Melbourne's most recent Grand Final team on the field today.
Colin Sylvia also kicked a personal-best four goals while Chris Johnson was terrific with a game-high and career-best 33 disposals.
Big man Paul Johnson's run and chase late in the final term on the more nimble Justin Sherman typified Melbourne's effort and intent throughout the match.
Brisbane Lions forward Jonathan Brown (five majors) and Bradshaw (four) kicked nine goals between them, while Luke Power was their best ball-winner with 32 touches.
Brown got the Lions off to a flyer when he kicked truly in the opening minute of the match, but it wasn't long before Melbourne was right in the contest and took control of the term.
Leading forward Brad Miller was pivotal in Melbourne's best first quarter of the season (5.4), when he kicked three goals – including consecutive majors in time on.
And when Sylvia, who again started at full-forward, booted his first, the home side took a 19-point advantage into the first break.
The only sour point for Melbourne during this period was the loss of midfielder Brock McLean, who went down with what appeared to be a serious left ankle injury. McLean sustained the injury after he was twisted in a tackle.
Although he didn't play in the second term, McLean remarkably reappeared in the second half, when he initially left the field in the arms of the trainers and looked set to be sidelined for the rest of the day.
Sylvia was again in the action early in the second term when he bobbed up with his second, giving the Demons a 24-point buffer.
But when Brown landed his second – and the Lions' third for the match – it was the start of three in a row from the visitors, reducing the deficit back to just three points at half-time.
Melbourne kicked the first three goals of the second half and when Sylvia nailed his third, the Demons were back out to a 20-point lead.
It took the Lions 23 minutes to register their first goal of the second half – courtesy of Rhan Hooper – but when Bradshaw added another a minute later, the visitors had cut the deficit back to just eight points heading into the final stanza.
It was a cracking last term and although the Lions outscored the Demons – 6.2 to 5.1 – Melbourne had worked hard over the course of the match to taste victory.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
MATCH DETAILS:
Melbourne 5.4 6.6 10.8 14.9 (93)
Brisbane Lions 2.3 5.9 9.13 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Melbourne: Sylvia 4 Miller 4 Wonaeamirri 2 Bate Bruce Green
Brisbane Lions : Brown 5 Bradshaw 4 Hooper 2 Patfull Rischitelli
BEST
Melbourne : Wheatley, Green, Johnson, Miller, Sylvia, Whelan, Jones
Brisbane Lions: Power, Brown, Black, Rischitelli, Bradshaw
INJURIES
Melbourne : McLean (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Johnstone (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Polkinghorne
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Head, Armstrong, Jeffery
Official crowd: 23,278 at the MCG
