MELBOURNE has recovered from a scoreless first half to beat the Brisbane Lions in the NAB Cup match at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
For full match replays 12 hours after the game, go to AFL VIDEOS under the screen.
The Demons, who had earlier gone down by three points to Gold Coast, scored two late goals through Colin Sylvia and recruit James Sellar to secure a nail-biting 0.2.1 (13) to 0.1.4 (10) win.
In a combative but scrappy contest marred by greasy conditions, Lion James Polkinghorne had a chance to snatch victory with the final kick of the game, but his scrambled attempt went across the face of goal for a behind.
Todd Banfield kicked the only goal of the first half to give the Lions a seven point lead at the break, before Sylvia and Sellar replied for Melbourne to steal the win.
The result ensured the Demons finished their evening with a 1-1 record.
One moment of controversy came midway through the second half when Pat Karnezis appeared to soccer home a goal for the Lions, only for it to be overturned by the Video Review System.
Mitch Clark's return against his former team was a tame affair, with the big forward kept quiet by Matt Maguire.
Maguire and his backline teammates Ash McGrath (11 disposals), Mitch Golby (seven) and Ryan Lester (seven) controlled play across half-back in the first half.
The Lions had a staggering 98 disposals to 42 at the break, and finished with a 164-109 lead in that category, but could not capitalise on their mountain of possession.
Led by Matthew Bate (13 disposals), the Demons were relentless in the second half.
James Frawley was strong in defence, while Jack Grimes led strongly in his first match as captain.
Lions captain Jonathan Brown was solid in his first match since suffering a broken jaw in round 17 last season, but was subbed off after 30 minutes of action.
MELBOURNE 0.0.0 2.1 (13)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.1.7 1.4 (10)
GOALS
Melbourne: Sylvia, Sellar
Brisbane Lions: Banfield
BEST
Melbourne: Bate, Moloney, Grimes, Jones, Frawley, Howe
Brisbane Lions: Beams, Lester, McGrath, Black, Yeo, Golby
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: Nil
Official Crowd: 5150 at Metricon Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
