First quarter: Melbourne 5.6 (36) to Brisbane Lions 2.3 (15)
Melbourne controlled the majority of play in the first term, but didn’t fully capitalise on the scoreboard.
Although Melbourne took a 21-point lead into quarter-time, the margin could’ve been greater had it not wasted several opportunities in front of goal.
The red and blue had 11 scoring shots, but managed just five goals.
Jesse Hogan kicked two for the term – a couple of beauties from the pocket – as singles came via Jeff Garlett, Ben Kennedy and Nathan Jones.
The Lions managed two goals from Ben Keays and Ryan Lester.
Second quarter: Melbourne 10.7 (67) to Brisbane Lions 5.5 (35)
Melbourne improved its accuracy in the second term, booting five goals from six scoring shots.
Hogan added his third and Garlett booted his second, as Melbourne shared its majors around.
James Harmes, Viv Michie (who kicked his first AFL goal) and Jack Watts all got on the board, as Melbourne broke away to a 42-point lead at the 20-minute mark.
Although Melbourne dominated five of the first six goals for the quarter, when Lions Tom Bell booted back-to-back goals in time-on, the margin was reduced to 35 points at three quarter-time.
Billy Stretch, Nathan Jones and Tom Bugg all had 13 disposals each in the first half, as Jack VIney had 10 contested possessions.
Third quarter: Melbourne 13.10 (88) to Brisbane Lions 6.10 (46)
The third term was hardly one for the archives.
Bell opened the second half – and in the process booted his third goal in a row – before a comedy of errors from both sides marred much of the quarter.
Five behinds followed until Ben Newton kicked Melbourne’s first for the term at the 18-minute mark.
His goal was the start of three in a row for the red and blue.
And when Hogan kicked his fourth and Billy Stretch kicked truly just before three quarter-time, Melbourne led by 42 points at the final break.
Final quarter: Melbourne 19.17 (131) defeated Brisbane Lions 9.14 (68)
With Melbourne holding a seven goal lead entering the final term, it was always going to be a massive task for the Lions to come back.
Although Lewis Taylor opened the final term for the Lions, when Melbourne replied with six of the next eight goals, it set up a 63-point victory.
Hogan landed his fifth – and Melbourne’s first of the final term – as Harmes turned it on with three for the term to finish with four goals.
Dean Kent and Jack Viney also added majors.
Melbourne has now won five of its opening nine rounds and takes on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs next round.
