HEAD TO HEAD: Melbourne 20 wins, Brisbane Lions 15 wins
LAST TIME: Melbourne 11.8 (74) d Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64), round 18, 2010 at the Gabba
TV: Fox Sports 1 - (Melbourne 1pm, Adelaide 12:30pm, Perth 11am, Sydney/NSW 1pm, Brisbane/QLD 1pm)
RADIO: Melbourne: ABC 774, 1116 SEN Perth: 5PR, ABC720, NIRS Brisbane: Triple M, ABC936, NIRS Hobart: ABC936 Darwin: ABC105.7, NIRS
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
BETFAIR ODDS: Melbourne 1.22, Brisbane Lions 5.20
FORM: Melbourne: DL Brisbane Lions: LL
SUMMARY
Melbourne will be keen to get its first win of the season after a round-one draw against the Sydney Swans and a disappointing performance last weekend against the Hawks.
The Demons' Achilles heel is their forward line, and it has failed to fire over the first two rounds. Lynden Dunn has probably shown the most along with Liam Jurrah, although he has yet to produce his dangerous best.
Ricky Petterd was a force in attack early last year, until a shoulder injury ended his season in round six, and he needs to step up again and give Melbourne a reliable option going forward.
The struggling Lions will return to Melbourne after a 78-point flogging from the Western Bulldogs last Sunday, and it's fair to say things are looking very bleak.
Without skipper Jonathan Brown and Brent Staker, the forward line lacks fire power.
Mitch Clark and Broc McCauley will have a clear height advantage over Melbourne defenders James Frawley and Colin Garland, but both failed to impact the scoreboard last week against the Bulldogs.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Demons bounce back? President Jim Stynes labeled the club's second-half capitulation against Hawthorn unacceptable, and has asked the leaders to step up and take a stand against the Lions.
Who will Brisbane turn to for goals? James Polkinghorne looked lively in attack last week with two goals, but 19-year-old key forward Bryce Retzlaff could be the answer if coach Michael Voss gives him a shot in the senior side.
PREDICTION
Melbourne by 26 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Young Melbourne defender Luke Tapscott ($97,600) has set tongues wagging among dream team coaches so far this season. Listed as a Dream Team forward, Tapscott has spent the first two rounds floating across half-back racking up the possessions. He has scored a handy 80 in both games, and you can be sure after round three his price is going to skyrocket.
If you don't have him on your bench, you might want to consider downgrading an under-performing forward for the 19-year-old Demon before the game this week and earn yourself a little bit of cash.
Follow afl.com.au’s live coverage of the game in the AFL Match Centre, and join the conversation on Twitter using #afldeeslions
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
