AN INJURY-ravaged Melbourne has suffered a disappointing a 61-point loss against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday.

The 18.14 (122) to 8.13 (61) victory was the first time the Lions have won back-to-back matches this season and made it three from their past four against an injury-ravaged Demons.

Melbourne was up against it before the match started with Mitch Clark's (foot) absence made worse by the late withdrawals of ruckman Mark Jamar (calf) and combative midfielder Nathan Jones (calf).

Things got worse early in the first quarter when NAB Rising Star nominee Tom McDonald was substituted out for Sam Blease after copping an accidental knee to the stomach from Daniel Merrett.

McDonald was taken to hospital after reportedly coughing blood.

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Despite Melbourne's growing injury list, coach Mark Neeld was making no excuses.

"Injuries are part of the game ... it's testing our depth but those certainly aren't the reasons we lost," Neeld said.

"In terms of structure, we only went down in clearances by one (35-34), we had a good result in contested possessions, we had a positive inside-50 count so that indicates we had enough of the footy. Fifty-four inside 50s for eight goals is an area we need to work on.

"That means the younger players coming into the side are understanding the way we want to play... [but] the uncontested possessions was a concern today."

The Lions moved to within touching distance of the top eight after the victory - it was the first time the Lions have won back-to-back matches this season and made it three from their past four against an injury-ravaged Demons.

The Lions play the Sydney Swans (away) and St Kilda (home) in the next two rounds but coach Michael Voss is not getting too carried away yet.

"I'll never discount being good enough to make the eight," Voss said.

"I guess if there's such a thing as a carrot, it's dangling right out in front of us. If that's what motivates the guys to do what they need to do on a daily basis, then good, [but] it's certainly not something we focus a hell of a lot of energy on.

"We've still got a hell of a lot to work on and that's where our focus lies."

Just as they did against the Western Bulldogs last week, the Lions spread quickly, won plenty of uncontested ball and were more efficient going forward than their opponent.

There's some genuine excitement for the Lions now, with half-back Pearce Hanley's three running goals an example of their willingness to play on, run hard and work for each other.

The only downside was a hamstring injury suffered by small forward Ash McGrath - who was having a good game with three goals - during the third term.

The injury will be assessed on Monday.

The Lions' midfield ran riot with Brownlow medalist Simon Black at his silky best and prolific ball-winners Jack Redden (32 disposals) and Tom Rockliff (29) also getting plenty of it.

Black had 26 touches and was all class, even slotting a rare goal from outside 50m in his regular trips forward.

Captain Jonathan Brown set up the win in the first quarter with three of his four goals.

Despite a strong first quarter by the Demons, Brown's three goals ensured the Lions would open up a 13-point lead.

Brown was too good for Jack Watts, out-marking him twice, in a Lions forward line that had plenty of space.

Ryan Harwood continued to enjoy his switch to defence, racking up 18 touches in the first half and finishing with a career-high 29 and 12 marks.

The Lions were simply far more efficient going forward - they had 50 inside 50s to Melbourne's 54 but were never challenged.

BRISBANE LIONS    6.1    9.6    13.11    18.14 (122)
MELBOURNE            3.6     3.8      4.11     8.13 (61)
 
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Brown 4, McGrath 3, Hanley 3, Green 2, Zorko, Redden, Polec, Merrett, Black, Bewick
Melbourne: Blease 2, Bail, Bate, Garland, Howe, McKenzie, Sylvia
 
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Black, Redden, Brown, Harwood, Rockliff, Rich, Hanley
Melbourne: Howe, Sylvia, Martin, Trengove, McKenzie, Nicholson
 
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: McGrath (hamstring)
Melbourne: Jamar (calf) replaced in selected side by Spencer, Jones (calf) replaced in selected side by Blease, McDonald (internal)
 
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Jared Polec replaced Ash McGrath (hamstring) in the third quarter
Melbourne: Sam Blease replaced Tom McDonald (internal) in the first quarter
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Kamolins, Jennings, Mollison
 
Official crowd: 22,114 at the Gabba

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs