Match

Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions

Commentary / 20 Aug 2017

Pre Game

59:30
Welcome to MCG for the Melbourne v Brisbane Lions Round 22 clash.
59:33
Outs for Demons: J.Viney, S.Weideman
59:34
Ins for Demons: J.Hogan, B.Stretch
59:35
Outs for Lions: C.Cox
59:36
Ins for Lions: A.Witherden
59:40
Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection.
00:00
Brisbane has lost the contested possession count by an average of 11 per game this season (ranked last), and has been ranked in the bottom-2 for this count in each of the last four seasons.

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
01:26
A scrappy start with a number of early stoppages to start the game. Melbourne has had the third most stoppages in its games this season.
02:26
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Josh Walker)
02:37
The opening score of the game goes to Brisbane, and it was sourced from a forward half clearance. Brisbane has scored from 46 percent of its forward half clearance (ranked first).
03:36
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Rushed)
06:31
Cameron Pedersen recorded career-highs of 26 disposals, 10 groundball-gets and seven looseball-gets against St Kilda last week, and has kicked the opening goal of the game today.
08:56
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Mitch Hannan)
09:03
Some good forward half pressure from the Demons led to the shot at goal by Hannan. Melbourne has scored 36 points per game from forward half intercepts this season (ranked second).
13:10
Michael Hibberd has taken two early intercept marks for the Demons to repel Brisbane attacks. Hibberd averages 7.2 intercept possessions this season, which is ranked No.1 at the Demons and No.10 in the AFL.
15:43
Brisbane lead the clearances 9-3, and Dayne Zorko currently has won more clearances (four) than Melbourne.
16:02
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Darcy Gardiner)
19:34
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)
21:34
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Rushed)
21:52
Brisbane has won nine forward half clearances and scored 1.3.(9) from these opportunities. Melbourne has won one forward half clearance and did not score from this chance.
22:52
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
23:28
The second goal for the Demons comes from a chain started at the kick-in. Brisbane has conceded 8.3 points per game from kick-ins this season (ranked last).
27:08
Brisbane has already taken six marks in the forward 50, and this season average just 8.8 such marks per game (ranked last).
27:23
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Dayne Beams)
28:31
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jeff Garlett)
29:18
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jeff Garlett)
29:43
Some poor discipline from the Lions gifted the last goal to Garlett. Brisbane has already conceded 1.2.(8) to the Demons from free kicks and 50 metre penalties.
31:18
The siren has sounded to end Q1.
31:28
An even first quarter ends with the Demons six points in the lead. Brisbane has won the clearances (13-8) and matched Melbourne for contested possessions (33-32) and inside 50 entries (13 each).

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
01:09
Melbourne currently lead the hitouts (16-10), but Brisbane lead in hitouts to advantage (5-3) and first possession at stoppages (17-7).
02:02
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Tom Rockliff)
04:43
As they did in the first quarter, the Lions have generated the first four inside 50 entries and won the first three clearances to start the quarter.
06:14
The terrific forward 50 stoppage goal from Zorko came from his fifth clearance. Brisbane has already scored 2.3.(15) from ten forward half clearances, and average 17 points from ten such clearances this season.
09:22
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
09:35
Jesse Hogan has taken all three of the forward 50 marks taken by Melbourne, and has been the target of seven forward 50 entries (no other Demon has been targeted more than once).
11:05
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Eric Hipwood)
12:53
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Cameron Pedersen)
14:23
Lions Interchange - Claye Beams off due to an injury.
16:14
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
16:20
Hogan is continuing to cause Brisbane problems with his third goal of the game coming from a Jeff Garlett assist. Hogan has polled Brownlow votes in each of his two games against the Lions.
18:09
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)
21:15
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jake Melksham)
21:51
Melbourne has won five of the last seven clearances, and generated five of the last seven inside 50 entries. The Demons have also had the last four scores in the game.
22:36
Some clever work at a forward 50 stoppage by Petracca set up the goal to Melksham. Melbourne has now scored 2.1.(13) from six forward half clearances, and average 13 points from 12 such clearances this season.
25:45
Since the goal to Eric Hipwood, Melbourne has won the contested possessions (22-11), inside 50s (9-3) and clearances (4-1).
28:35
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Jake Barrett)
28:38
The siren has sounded to end Q2.
28:48
Melbourne has averaged 36 points from 27 forward half intercepts this season. At half time, the Demons have scored just 1.3.(9) from nine such intercepts, with the Lions able to handle the forward half pressure.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
02:10
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bernie Vince)
02:20
The first goal of the third quarter goes to the Demons following a Nathan Jones intercept in the forward 50. Jones has a game-high six score involvements with the co-captain again making important contributions for the Demons.
05:02
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Cameron Pedersen)
05:15
Melbourne has started the third quarter strongly, leading in contested possessions (8-3) and inside 50s (3-0).
07:36
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Dayne Beams)
08:21
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Dayne Beams)
08:41
The goal to Dayne Beams was the first score of the game to the Lions to come from a forward half intercept. Since the 18 minute mark of the second quarter, Brisbane has generated only two inside 50s entries (but has scored goals both times).
10:19
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jeff Garlett)
11:01
Both of the Melbourne goals this quarter have come from forward 50 intercepts. The Demons lead the clearances (5-1) this quarter, with this contributing to a 6-1 advantage for inside 50s, and providing forward half intercept opportunities.
15:16
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Cameron Pedersen)
16:00
Melbourne has already scored 3.1.(19) this quarter from eight forward half intercepts. The Demons only scored nine points from nine such intercepts in the first half.
17:56
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
18:16
Melbourne has dominated across the board this quarter, leading in contested possessions (26-15), clearances (8-4) and inside 50s (10-2).
19:28
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Rushed)
22:12
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Ryan Bastinac)
22:21
A clever mark and goal from Ryan Bastinac ends a run of the three goal to the Demons. Bastinac has hit the scoreboard more this season, and has now kicked at least one goal in ten of his last eleven games for the Lions.
23:41
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)
25:28
A third goal to Dayne Beams franked the terrific intercept pack mark by Daniel McStay. Beams leads all players for disposals (26) and contested possessions (14).
29:43
Jesse Hogan has season-highs for forward 50 marks (six) and goals (five) in a very impressive display on return from injury.
30:32
The siren has sounded to end Q3.
30:42
The Demons took control in the third quarter against a plucky Brisbane team. Melbourne won the clearances (12-6), contested possessions (39-28) and inside 50s (16-6), with the Demon midfield dominating.

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
01:06
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Lewis Taylor)
02:20
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Christian Petracca)
02:28
An excellent long range goal from Christian Petracca capped a very good passage of play by the Demons. Petracca has again been good for the Demons with 11 contested possessions and two score assists.
03:57
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
04:33
A game-high 26 point lead to the Demons after goal number six for Jesse Hogan. The goal was the first of the day to the Demons from a centre bounce. Melbourne averages 12 points from this source (ranked fifth).
05:34
SCORE GOAL - Demons (James Harmes)
05:44
Lions Interchange - Nick Robertson off due to an injury.
07:15
Melbourne is continuing to dominate the stoppages this quarter, winning the clearances (4-1), and this dominance is again being converted into an advantage for inside 50 entries (6-1).
07:25
SCORE BEHIND - Lions (Daniel Rich)
09:13
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Jacob Allison)
09:43
The first AFL goal to Jacob Allison was again sourced from a forward half stoppage. Brisbane has now scored 3.3.(21) from 12 forward half clearances.
12:22
A smart piece of forward play from Tom Rockliff set up the McCluggage goal. Rockliff has had 12 disposals and four score involvements in a forward role for the Lions today.
16:04
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Tom Rockliff)
16:19
Another clever piece of play from Rockliff makes it three goals in a row to the Lions, with the last two goals coming from intercepts in the defensive midfield.
18:13
SCORE GOAL - Lions (Michael Close)
21:08
Brisbane has won six of the last seven clearances and lead the contested possession count 19-12 during this period in a stirring fightback.
22:39
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Cameron Pedersen)
22:49
Cam Pedersen delivering another clutch goal for the Demons has produced a pivotal fortnight of football for Melbourne. Pedersen has seven score involvements today (including three goals).
26:48
Another assist from Rockliff lead to the Walker goal. Walker has taken a game-high five contested marks today, and Brisbane lead 20-11 in this area of the game.
29:29
Melbourne lead in ground ball gets (98-81). The Demons are the No.1 team this season in groundball get differential.
30:01
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Angus Brayshaw)
30:29
An important win for the Demons against a very competitive Brisbane team. Melbourne was well served by key forwards Hogan and Pedersen who kicked a combined nine goals in a powerful display.
30:54
The siren has sounded to end Q4.
31:04
Nathan Jones finished with a game-high 12 score involvements for the Demons, and also had team-highs for disposals (32) and tackles (seven) in another important game from the senior Demon.