ROUND two: Saturday, March 31, Brisbane Lions v Melbourne, Gabba, 6.25pm (local time)
First quarter: Melbourne 5.4 (34) to Brisbane Lions 0.3 (3)
In warm, humid conditions, Melbourne took control in the opening term, leading by 31 points at quarter-time.
But the margin could’ve been greater, as the Demons had nine scoring shots to three.
For the Lions, they were held goalless.
Jesse Hogan got the ball rolling, kicking the first at the six-minute mark. By the first break, he had two to his name.
Jeff Garlett, Alex Neal-Bullen and Bayley Fritsch, who kicked Melbourne’s fifth after the quarter-time siren, were the other goalkickers.
Second quarter: Melbourne 8.7 (55) to Brisbane Lions 2.6 (18)
After failing to kick a major in the first term, the Lions quickly got on the board in the second quarter, courtesy of Allen Christensen.
But the margin was soon back out to 31 points when Hogan notched up his third.
A brief goal-for-goal trend emerged, before Melbourne landed two in a row through Nathan Jones and Garlett, who snapped his second at the 17-minute mark – the last major before half-time.
At the main break, the Demons led by 37 points.
Hogan and Jones had 14 disposals each by the long change, the equal most for the match with Lion Lewis Taylor.
Third quarter: Melbourne 9.11 (65) to Brisbane Lions 5.11 (41)
Melbourne extended its lead to 42 points, early in the second half, when Jones booted his second.
But it proved to be a tougher quarter for the Demons – on the scoreboard and with its personnel – when youngster Bayley Fritsch appeared to seriously hurt his ribs. He left the field looking in serious trouble, but reappeared later in the quarter.
Jones’ goal was the only major registered in the first 14 minutes, and when Christensen managed his second midway through the quarter, it kick-started a home side revival.
And when Charlie Cameron opened his account and made it three in a row for the Lions, they pegged the margin back to 22 points in time-on.
Jones proved to be Melbourne’s only goalkicker for the quarter, as the Demons took a 24-point advantage into the final stanza.
Final quarter: Melbourne 14.16 (100) d Brisbane Lions 10.14 (74)
The Lions not only entered the final term within reach, they hit back significantly to level the scores at the 10-minute mark, slamming the first four of the quarter – giving them seven in a row.
Cameron booted the first two of the term, meaning he kicked three in succession, having landed the last major before three quarter-time.
And when Dayne Zorko kicked truly and Christensen added his third, the scores were 9.11 each.
A rushed behind put Melbourne back in front at the 16-minute mark, but when Garlett bobbed up with two in three minutes, it not only gave him four goals, but the red and blue a 12-point buffer.
Eric Hipwood kept the Lions in it, bringing the margin back to a goal at the 23-minute mark, but when Hogan bagged his fourth and fifth respectively, and Fritsch gained one after the final siren, the Demons were home by 26 points.
