Where and when: Gabba, Saturday, June 27, 7.10pm AEST
Head to head: Brisbane Lions 14 wins, Melbourne 18 wins
Last time: Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Brisbane Lions 13.14 (92), round 14, 2008 at the MCG

MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Daniel Merrett (ankle) - available
Joel Patfull (jaw) - available
Matt Tyler (achilles) - available
Josh Drummond (calf) - test
Travis Johnstone (back) - test
Adam Spackman (quad) - test
Kieran King (ankle) - test
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) - 1 week
Scott Clouston (foot) - 2 weeks
Troy Selwood (shoulder) - 4-6 weeks
Matthew Leuenberger (knee) - 7 weeks
Bart McCulloch (quad) - season
Jamie Charman (ankle) - season
Pat Garner (knee) - season

Melbourne
James McDonald (knee) - 1 week
Jake Spencer (ankle) - 1 week
Tom McNamara (hip) - 2 weeks
Rhys Healey (quad) - 3 weeks
Simon Buckley (groin) - 2-4 weeks
Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) - 3-4 weeks
John Meesen (foot) - indefinite
Colin Garland (foot) - indefinite
Sam Blease (leg) - indefinite

FORM
Brisbane Lions: WLWLW
Melbourne: LLLLL

SUMMARY
The Lions produced their best win under first-year coach Michael Voss last round, downing Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Their seventh win of the season sees them fifth on the AFL ladder.

The victory was sweet for several reasons: the Lions were missing several key players including Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull, Travis Johnstone, Matthew Leuenberger and Jamie Charman.

They also had a balance of key players and unsung names shine – including Jonathan Brown, Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Justin Sherman, Luke Power, Michael Rischitelli and Jason Roe.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions)
With 40 goals to his name this season – including nine in his past two matches – Brown is in top form and just one major shy of Carlton's Brendan Fevola in the Coleman Medal race. His contested marking and powerhouse play has been excellent in recent times and although he has been one of the superstars of the past decade, his recent form remains must-watch viewing.

Liam Jurrah (Melbourne)
Regardless of how far the indigenous 20-year-old from Central Australia goes in the AFL, his ability to debut at the highest level last week was a massive achievement. And judging by his brilliant fly and subsequent goal as he fell to the ground, Jurrah is set to spend plenty of time in the red and blue. How will game No. 2 go?

QUESTION MARKS
Remarkably, Melbourne has defeated the Lions in their last two encounters – round 14, 2008 and a NAB Challenge match this year. Is there any chance the Demons can notch their second win of the home-and-away season?

Alternatively, the Lions have been very impressive in 2009 and now loom as a top four contender. Is there any threat of inconsistency that could see them drop this match?

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
On the basis of Melbourne's past two matches, it's hard to see the Demons travelling to Brisbane and overcoming the Lions. The Dees can draw on some confidence from recent outings, but at home the Lions will have too much strength and experience across the board – particularly in the midfield with Black, Power and Brennan and forward with Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

PREDICTION
Brisbane Lions by 36 points

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