First quarter: Melbourne 3.3 (21) to Brisbane Lions 2.3 (15)

After an even opening, Melbourne grabbed a one goal lead at quarter-time.

Cam Pedersen got the first on the board at the six-minute mark, before the Lions opened their first via Darcy Gardiner midway through the term.

It proved to be goal-for-goal for the rest of the quarter, with Jesse Hogan landing his first in time-on and Lions skipper Dayne Beams answering soon after.

But when Jeff Garlett kicked truly at the 29-minute mark, after receiving a free kick, the red and blue held sway at the first break.

A courageous mark down back by Michael Hibberd and a body-on-the-line contest from Pedersen were among the highlights in the first team.

Second quarter: Melbourne 6.6 (42) to Brisbane Lions 6.3 (39)

The Lions started the term with consecutive majors to regain the lead by seven points.

Hogan levelled the scores with his second at the nine-minute mark, but when Eric Hipwood responded with his side’s third for the quarter, the visitors were back in front.

Again, Hogan bobbed up, kicking his third for the match, midway through the term. And when Jake Melksham made it two in a row for the Dees, Melbourne was up by nine points, which was the biggest lead in the first half.

But the Lions pegged the margin back to just three points, after Jake Barrett ran into an open goal just seconds before half-time.

Dom Tyson had 17 touches for Melbourne at the long break, as Beams had 18 disposals.

Third quarter: Melbourne 11.8 (74) to Brisbane Lions 9.5 (59)

Melbourne started the second half promisingly, kicking four of the first five goals.

This included three in a row midway through the term, when the red and blue gained a 21-point lead at the 17-minute mark.

But when the Lions kicked back-to-back goals in time-on, they closed the gap back to nine points.

However, when Hogan, who booted two for the term, landed his fifth just before three quarter-time, Melbourne took a 15-point advantage into the final quarter.

Pedersen and Garlett both kicked their second during the term, as Bernie Vince got his first on the board.

Final quarter: Melbourne 16.8 (104) to Brisbane Lions 14.7 (91)

With the game in the balance entering the final term, Melbourne took control early on, when it slammed three goals in the opening five.

The Demons gained a 32-point lead after Christian Petraccca, Hogan (who kicked his sixth) and James Harmes booted majors.

Just as Melbourne looked to have the game in the bag, the Lions hit back hard with four goals in nine minutes to trail by just seven points.

With the match still up for grabs, it took a brilliant running goal from Pedersen – his third – at the 22-minute mark to give Melbourne some slight breathing space. But when Josh Walker answered for the Lions at the 26-minute mark, the margin was back to seven points.

However, when Angus Brayshaw kicked his first for the day at the 30-minute mark, Melbourne was home by 13 points.