The Demons 0.13.12 (90) defeated the Lions 0.12.9 (81) to set up a semi-final clash against the winner of Saturday's quarter-final between Hawthorn and Adelaide at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Melbourne's excitement machines - Russell Robertson and Aaron Davey - shone for the red and blue, with the duo combining for eight goals.
Robertson booted five goals against the Lions to have eight majors from two NAB Cup appearances, while Davey has six goals in the pre-season tournament after bagging a hat-trick against the Western Bulldogs last week.
Although there were seven lead changes, Melbourne led for most of the match. But when Jason Akermanis put the Lions back in front at the 11-minute mark of the final term, the game looked set for a thrilling finale.
This was until Davey and Robertson bobbed up to be the match-winners for the Demons.
Other fine players for Melbourne included Brad Green, who finished with 21 touches - the most by a Demon - while Matthew Whelan's run and drive from defence was also important. Colin Sylvia, Travis Johnstone and Chris Johnson also stood out.
Simon Black was the leading ball-winner with 28 touches, while Luke Power also gained 24 disposals. New Lion Ben Fixter was impressive, youngster Michael Rischitelli keeps getting better and Justin Sherman was also in good touch.
But it was Mitchell Clark, a player touted by many recruiting experts early in 2005 as the top draft pick, who continued to get the tongues wagging.
He booted three goals - including two in two minutes and also had a hand in a Tim Notting goal. But his night was soured when he sustained a thumb injury.
He wasn't the only injury out of the night, as Lions' teammate Jed Adcock also copped one high after Robertson collided with him in a contest during the third term and he finished the night on the bench.
Melbourne's 2004 NAB AFL Rising Star, Jared Rivers, injured his elbow and was unable to play out the match.
Both sides went into the clash without a number of senior players.
For the Lions, Michael Voss, Jonathan Brown, Nigel Lappin, Justin Leppitsch, Clark Keating, Jared Brennan, Anthony Corrie, Josh Drummond, Richard Hadley, Ashley McGrath and Brad and Chris Scott were missing.
While Adem Yze, Cameron Bruce, Brent Moloney, Ben Holland, Brock McLean, Ryan Ferguson, Daniel Bell and Clint Bizzell were absent for the Dees.
The opening term was a relatively ho-hum and low-scoring affair. Just four goals were scored and, after four lead changes, the Lions held sway by two points at quarter-time.
Aside from a ripping tackle laid by Adcock on Byron Pickett - who attempted to tear through the young Lion - the quarter lacked punch. Adcock's ability to hang on - albeit in mid-air - was a credit to the youngster, as Pickett was running at full-steam.
The intensity lifted after the first change. For most of the second term, both teams were within reach, yet when Robertson jagged his third and emerging tall Paul Johnson kicked truly after the siren, the Demons took a 14-point lead into half-time.
Brad Miller came to the fore early in the second half, when he booted two in quick succession, giving the Demons a 26-point at the six-minute mark.
With Adcock off the ground and Melbourne notching four unanswered goals, the signs were ominous for the Lions, until Clark put his stamp on the match.
Clark's single-handed efforts were pivotal in reducing the deficit to just eight points, before he was forced to the sidelines.
With just 12 seconds remaining before three quarter-time, Robertson's fourth gave the Demons some breathing space and a 15-point lead. And although that margin looked set to be locked in at three quarter-time, the gap was closed to just nine points when Power pinched a goal after the siren.
The early stages of the final term had all the makings of the second successive 'extra-time' clash at Telstra Dome, but when Davey and Robertson nailed the last two goals of the night, the Demons were home.
BRISBANE LIONS: 0.2.5, 0.5.5, 0.9.7, 0.12.9 (81)
MELBOURNE: 0.2.3, 0.7.7, 0.10.10 0.13.12 (90)
NINE POINT GOALS: Brisbane Lions: Nil
Melbourne: Nil
SIX POINT GOALS: Brisbane Lions: M.Clark 3, Merrett 3, Notting 2, Akermanis, Attard, Harding
Melbourne: Robertson 5, Davey 3, C.Johnson 2, Miller 2, P.Johnson
BEST: Brisbane Lions: Power, Merrett, Black, Rischitelli, Fixter, M.Clark
Melbourne: Robertson, Davey, Whelan, Green, Sylvia, Johnstone
INJURIES: Brisbane Lions: M.Clark (thumb)
Melbourne: Rivers (elbow)
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Head, McLaren, Wenn, Woodcock
CROWD: 11,612 at Telstra Dome
