AFL round 16: Brisbane Lions rally to defeat Melbourne in thriller

Brisbane Lions have stunned Melbourne with an almighty last quarter comeback that was only sealed in the final minutes thanks to an improbable Hugh McCluggage goal.

A matchwinning goal from Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage in the final two minutes lifted Brisbane Lions to a thrilling win over Melbourne on Friday night.

There were two minutes left in the match when Alex-Neal Bullen was penalised for deliberate out of bounds in the Lions forward pocket.

McCluggage slotted the decisive goal from a tricky angle to lift Brisbane to fifth on the ladder.

An eight-goal second term set the game up for the visitors, as the Demons put together their best quarter of the year to seize momentum at the Gabba.

But their dominance wasn’t enough to fully put the Lions away and they stayed in touch with goals from Kai Lohmann and Jarrod Berry in the final term.

Chris Fagan put inaccuracy on the agenda during the week and it almost hindered his side again, as they booted 20 behinds from 31 scoring shots. .

Young Lions gun Will Ashcroft seamlessly slotted in through the midfield in his return from an ACL layoff.

Kysaiah Pickett was brilliant for Melbourne. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

PICKETT ON FIRE

A five-goal masterclass from Melbourne small forward Kysaiah Pickett was crucial in setting up the Demons’ chances on the road.

Pickett booted four goals in the first half and was explosive in the forward line, setting up numerous chances for the Demons and bursting away from the Lions defenders.

A physical ruck battle between big men Oscar McInerny and Melbourne skipper Max Gawn loomed large and the seven-time All-Australian got the better of McInerney.

CLARRY’S BACK

Enigmatic midfielder Clayton Oliver returned to form after a poor game last week with 29 touches.

Oliver was well held last week by North Melbourne’s Will Phillips but responded with his best game of the year, giving Melbourne hope it can survive without Christian Petracca.

Players from both sides were involved in an early dust up. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Jack Viney was his usual industrious self, producing what was nearly a game-saving tackle in the last quarter and recording seven clearances by halftime.

Clayton Oliver played his best game of the year. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

DANIHER'S EUROS AUDITION

Joe Daniher converted a miraculous, accidental goal from 40 metres that would have been more at home in Germany where the Euros soccer tournament is being played.

Daniger fumbled an easy mark running into an open goal, then slipped, got up and soccered the ball forward to an open Kai Lohmann.

But ball kept travelling along the ground and found its way between the big sticks, much to the crowd and Daniher’s surprise.

SCOREBOARD

Brisbane Lions: 3.7. (25) 5.8 (38) 8.14 (62) 11.20 (86)

Melbourne Demons: 1.5 (11) 9.7 (61) 11.11 (77) 11.15 (81)

GOALS

Lions: 2 – Cameron, Daniher, Rayner 1 - Hipwood, Ah Chee, Berry, McCluggage, Lohmann

Demons: 5 - Pickett 2 – Van Rooyen, 1 – Fritsch, Chandler, Oliver, Turner,

BEST

Lions: McCluggage, Zorko, Dunkley

Demons: Pickett, Viney, Gawn

TURNER’S VOTES

3.Hugh McCluggage

2. Kysaiah Pickett

1. Josh Dunkley

3 votes: 3 – McCluggage, 2 – Pickett 1 – Dunkley.

INJURIES

Lions: None

Demons: None

Originally published as AFL round 16: Brisbane Lions rally to defeat Melbourne in thriller