A BRISBANE Lions side missing co-captain Jonathan Brown has had to battle hard to down Melbourne in a scrappy game in Darwin to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
The Lions started slowly but took control in the second term to set up their 13.16 (94) to 11.9 (75) win in warm, humid conditions that made ball-handling difficult.
It was the Lions' third straight win, which lifted them to seven wins and nine losses, but still two games plus a large percentage gap behind eighth-placed Port Adelaide.
Lions star forward Brown was a late pre-game withdrawal with a hip complaint.
"We knew it was going to be tough. We knew it was going to be slippery. We knew it was going to be a slog," said Lions coach Michael Voss.
"We made it tough for ourselves at times but we came for the four points and we got the four points."
And with the Lions also missing midfield keys Simon Black and former Demon Brent Moloney, Melbourne took advantage early, outscoring the Lions by nine points in the first quarter to create hope of an upset.
Melbourne big man Jack Fitzpatrick started the night strongly, kicking the night's opening goal from a free kick on his way to three majors for the first quarter.
A minor knee injury late in the term curtailed his influence, although he played out the game.
But the Lions' midfield took control in the second quarter, led by Tom Rockliff (34 disposals, seven clearances) and in-form Irishman Pearce Hanley (27 disposals, five clearances), while Andrew Raines kept Melbourne's best midfielder Nathan Jones quiet.
The Lions kicked five goals to one for the second term to lead by two majors at the long break.
Jones was shifted forward to start the second half, with instant effect, as he marked and goaled early to cut the margin to a goal.
In a stroke of bad timing, the Demons lost defender Colin Garland to an ankle injury midway through the third term, just minutes after they had subbed off first-year player Jimmy Toumpas, who had managed just two touches.
But Melbourne continued to fight, twice getting within five points, including once from a brilliant Chris Dawes goal after the big man gathered a ground ball, spun and snapped truly.
But a Brent Staker snap put the Lions 11 points clear at the last change.
And the Demons could manage just one goal in the last quarter, Fitzpatrick's fourth, with the Lions' Dayne Zorko opening the term with a three-bounce running goal and Brent Staker later sealing the win with a quality set shot for his third major.
Colin Sylvia (27 touches) and Jack Viney and Jack Watts (21 apiece) were Melbourne's top ball-winners.
Melbourne coach Neil Craig said Garland's injury was a blow, but he was reasonably satisfied with how the Demons performed.
"I haven't got an issue with our effort and our approach to the contest. But we were quite critical of our second quarter with our stoppage work and our movement out of defence," he said.
Colin Sylvia gets a kick away despite Josh Green's attempted tackle. Picture: AFL Media
MELBOURNE 5.1 6.5 10.7 11.9 (75)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.4 8.5 11.12 13.16 (94)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fitzpatrick 4, Davey 2, Blease 2, Byrnes, Jones, Dawes
Brisbane Lions: Staker 3, Green 3, Merrett 2, Redden 2, Lisle, Mayes, Zorko
BEST
Melbourne: Viney, Sylvia, Davey, Byrnes, Grimes, Fitzpatrick
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Redden, Hanley, Merrett, Staker, Leuenberger, Green
INJURIES
Melbourne: Garland (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Jonathan Brown (hip) and Mitch Golby by Jordan Lisle and Sam Docherty
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jimmy Toumpas replaced by Dean Kent in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Jordan Lisle replaced by Ryan Lester in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Findlay, Ryan, Fila
Official crowd: 7615 at TIO Stadium
There goes the final siren and the Brisbane Lions have defeated Melbourne by 19 points. They were challenged and at times it was an arm wrestle but the Lions just flexed too much power.
The Lions have done well tonight in very trying conditions. Melbourne have given their hardest but just weren't good enough tonight.
GOAL LIONSStaker marks it in the pocket. From 35 metres out on the boundary, Staker knows how to kick the crunch goals. He ices the game for the Lions.
Time is running out for Melbourne who now need a goal per minute. It must be said it is not looking likely at this stage.
BEHIND DEMONSSome desperate defence by Maguire sees him dive with outstretched arms to touch the ball before it goes through.
The Demons still have time with 3 goals in 5 minutes to kick, but the question is whether they have run out of legs.
BEHIND DEMONSHowe marks it in the pocket but his shot at goal drifts across the face for a behind.
BEHIND LIONSSome desperate defence from Melbourne sees the ball rushed through for a behind.
GOAL DEMONSWatts kicks to the lead of Fitzpatrick who marks. Fitzpatrick, back on the field with a knee injury, leans back on the kick and drives through his fourth goal.
Tom Rockliff has had a good night at the office. He has 32 disposals, has taken 8 marks and applied 4 tackles. Dream teamers with Rockliff in their side will be on good terms with themselves.
BEHIND LIONSIt's McGrath v Sylvia in the contest for the footy. Sylvia leads from the front and takes it over for a rushed behind.
BEHIND LIONSMerrett marks and lines it up from 45 metres out. This will completely shut out the Demons if he kicks it, but he doesn't.
GOAL LIONSGiven the way this game is going Dayne Zorko may well have kicked the match winning goal here. He got inside 50 and just kept running. No chance of a handball, this one is Zorko's goal.
BEHIND LIONSStaker creates an opportunity out of nothing and hurries the shot, but it bounces through for a behind.
Melbourne will be a man down for the final quarter with Garland not able to take any further part in the game with an ankle injury.
The final quarter is underway.
It's three quarter time in Darwin and the Lions hold an 11 point lead going into the final quarter.
A late goal in the dying stages of this third quarter will prove to be very telling to either team's chances tonight.
GOAL LIONSThe Lions answer once again. Merrett is unable to take the mark but it spills forward to Staker who throws it onto his boot. It's a good looking bouncing kick for a goal.
GOAL DEMONSMelbourne have the momentum and they keep coming. Blease reads it at the fall of the pack and he runs in to kick the goal.
BEHIND DEMONSTrengove runs in and hurries the shot at goal, but it misses to the left.
GOAL LIONSMerrett uses his body, or shall I say hands to edge out his opponent and take the mark. He goes back from 49 metres out and kicks the goal. He punches the air in celebration.
BEHIND LIONSRaines runs inside 50. He tries to bring it around, but it falls short and is off hands through for a behind.
The Brisbane Lions have activated their substitution with Jordan Lisle donning the red vest and his place is taken by Lester.
GOAL DEMONSDawes grabs the footy and is tackled. He releases then chases it down once more. He doesn't have anyone to dish it off to so goes for it himself and what a kick from the big man!
Garland goes off the field looking to be a in a bit of bother. He will seek some treatment and hopefully be able to come back onto the field with Melbourne already having made their substitution.
GOAL DEMONSHowe taps the ball on to Davey who is in good position to gather, turn and apply a polished finish from 35 metres out. Melbourne are back in this ball game.
BEHIND DEMONSWatts has it 45 metres out. He is on his way and lines it up, but it strikes the post.
Melbourne have activated their substitution with Jimmy Toumpas handed the red vest after just two handballs. Kemp comes on for his first run tonight.
BEHIND LIONSStaker hurries the snap around his body but he pulls it and it's only a behind.
Melbourne are still in touch with the margin only 15 points but they need to start making an impact before the game gets away from them.
BEHIND LIONSZorko tries one from distance but it bounces the wrong way.
GOAL LIONSZorko kicks it off the ground. It goes all the way to the goal square where Green gathers, spins and snaps it through once again. He has three goals and the Lions lead by 14 points.
BEHIND LIONSMcGrath with the set shot opportunity just inside the 50 metre zone, but he punches his hand in frustration with his kick missing to the left.
Melbourne have upped their intensity in the third quarter and they look like they still have something to offer in this match.
BEHIND LIONSZorko gathers the footy inside 50. He sells some candy but spent his profit before he earned it with his shot at goal bouncing away to the right.
GOAL DEMONSHowe kicks to the lead of Jones who marks in space. Jones goes back and kicks it straight through the middle. Melbourne off to the best possible start.
The third quarter is underway.
The halftime siren sounds with the Brisbane Lions enjoying a good second quarter turning a 9 point deficit into a half-time lead of 12 points.
GOAL LIONSAdcock runs to just outside 50 and has a ping. It falls short and Redden stands firm to take the mark. From 12.45 metres out Redden slots it through for his second.
GOAL LIONSRich gets down low and retrieves the footy. He gets it out to Hanley who in turn finds Mayes. He runs in and kicks the goal. Lions lead by 6 points.
BEHIND DEMONSLeuenberger drops the mark and Blease takes it like a thief in the dark. He runs hard and keeps bouncing. He gets to kicking range and fires, but misses to the right.
Jimmy Toumpas has not yet touched the ball tonight. Not one statistic. Not even a free kick conceded.
Terlich has been doing the stuff that only coaches notice tonight and he has applied 4 tackles to date.
GOAL LIONSZorko handballs to Redden who can steady and drill it through. That was a quick answer from the Lions to put them back in front.
GOAL DEMONSJeremy Howe flies higher than an eagle but doesn't make contact with the footy. Davey does the roving and kicks a clever goal.
GOAL LIONSBewick handballs to Hanley who takes a bounce, make it two before kicking to Green who marks in the pocket. Green is a good kick and this one is no exception. Goal!
Colin Sylvia is about to come back onto the ground after successfully receiving treatment to enable him to come back.
BEHIND DEMONSThe Sherrin heads deep inside Melbourne's forward fifty before it's punched through for a rushed behind by Justin Clarke.
BEHIND LIONSBewick is lucky to be lining up the set shot from 40 metres out after receiving the benefit of the doubt. He lines it up but it drifts to the left of the big sticks.
GOAL LIONSGreen is quickly becoming a dangerous small forward. On this occasion he grabs it at ground level, turns and snaps it through. As easy as you like for Josh Green.
Sylvia is off the field for treatment to a leg injury. He is limping and will go down the race.
BEHIND DEMONSWatts marks near the boundary and finds Byrnes shot. The former Cat lines it up from 40 metres out and he misses to the left.
BEHIND DEMONSDawes marks and from 40 metres out his shot at goal is disappointing.
The second quarter is underway.
The siren sounds for quarter time with the Demons leading by 9 points.
BEHIND LIONSRaines intercepts the handball and goes for goal but he is offline.
GOAL DEMONSFour Brisbane Lions defenders overrun the ball. Fitzpatrick collects the footy and passes go. He throws it onto his boot and snaps through his third goal.
Fitzpatrick gathers the pill in the forward pocket but he fresh airs the ball when attempting to kick.
GOAL DEMONSByrnes gathers the ball at ground level and handballs to Sam Blease if you please! He makes it look easy by running at full tilt and bending it back beautifully!
Tom Rockliff has worked very hard for the Brisbane Lions in this first quarter. He has 10 disposals and has taken 2 marks.
GOAL DEMONSFitzpatrick kicks long inside 50 where Byrnes runs to the path of the ball and marks it on the top of Zorko's head. He goes back and kicks the goal.
GOAL LIONSGreen runs past and handballs to Staker. He snaps it around his body and the ball bounces through staying true in its revolutions.
BEHIND DEMONSWatts takes possession inside 50. He works his way around his opponent and kicks at goal, but it's touched on the line and only a minor score.
BEHIND LIONSJosh Green takes it cleanly below the knees and fires in the shot but it misses to the left.
GOAL LIONSMerrett reads it out the back. It comes down his throat and he turns, steadies and kicks the goal from 40 metres out.
The whistle has been put away with a very scrappy piece of play which resembles a tunnel ball game.
GOAL DEMONSWatts marks and handballs over the top to Fitzpatrick who kicks his and Melbourne's second goal. Melbourne hold an early 4 point lead.
Merrett lunges at the ball and sticks his boot at it, but it's already over the line and through for a behind.
There is a bit of dew on the ground and the ball is a little slippery. That will make things interesting tonight.
BEHIND LIONSHanley, the hero last week for the Lions, is not able to repeat his heroics from deep in the forward pocket.
It has been an open start to the game with both sides having turn at possession.
GOAL LIONSLisle who is in late for Brown makes an immediate impact. From the pocket he splits the middle and makes a very good start.
GOAL DEMONSFitzpatrick with a perfect start for the Demons after marking just inside 50. The shot at goal was sweet and the Dees are pumped.
We are off and underway in Darwin.
Two late changes for the Lions with Brown and Goldby out and Lisle and Docherty in.
Welcome to TIO Stadium in Darwin for Melbourne's home game against the Brisbane Lions.