1. Hanley's nightmare season continues
There has not been much joy for Lions fans in 2015 and one of the main reasons has been that a number of the club's star players have been sidelined with injury. Pearce Hanley's nightmare season continued when he was substituted out of the game with a quad injury. The Irishman, who notched game 100 against the Sydney Swans last week, has been limited to just five games this season after pre-season hip surgery. Hanley sustained the injury early in the second quarter and after going back on the ground in a limited capacity, was subbed out of the game early in the third term. 

2. Hogan makes his case for Rising Star
Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps might be the red hot favourite for this year's NAB Rising Star award, but Melbourne key forward Jesse Hogan would not be too far behind. AFL great and Triple M commentator Wayne Carey said Hogan had made the most impact of a player who had played under 20 games in the history of the game. It was a big call but you get the feeling it's not that far off. Hogan, who has played 13 games in his first full season in the AFL, booted four goals and took 10 marks to be the key difference between the sides at the MCG on Sunday. He also kicked the game's decisive goal, after a strong pack mark, in the final quarter. 

3. McDonald finds confidence
Earlier this season Tom McDonald was in the conversation, alongside Alex Rance and Michael Hurley, as one of the three top choices for the All Australian full-back slot. But a quiet month, where he was beaten by Travis Cloke and Josh Kennedy, among others, meant the Demons had to switch it up and get McDonald's confidence back on track. It began with a foray forward in the final quarter of last week's game against Essendon. The 22-year-old again started inside forward 50 against the Lions, booting two goals in the first half. But when the Lions got their run on late in the second half it was safety first for the Demons, who were quick to move McDonald into his natural position in defence.

4. Roos backs his men in and it pays off… just
There were some eyebrows raised when Melbourne's team was confirmed on Friday night. Demons coach Paul Roos did not make a single change to the team that let a golden opportunity slip against Essendon last week. The decision to go in unchanged proved to be the right call, with the Demons holding a 38-point buffer at half-time. With Melbourne's dominance so pronounced it was amazing to think the Lions trailed by just 26 points at three-quarter time. But the Demons keep finding new ways to limp to victory and the game against the Lions was no exception. Despite not finishing the game with a flourish, the Demons' effort and intensity was there for much of the day and that was the key difference between the sides.

5. Christensen goes from strength to strength
There were not many positives to take out of the game for the Lions, but the upward spike in form of Allen Christensen must have pleased Lions coach Justin Leppitsch. The former Cat was far and away the Brisbane Lions' best four-quarter player, racking up 29 disposals (15 contested), eight clearances and five inside 50s. He also added a goal to cap off an impressive day at the office. It's clear now that he is starting to reach his best after an injury-interrupted pre-season.