By Nick Wright
This was not what the script predicted when the Brisbane Lions launched their quest to reclaim top spot on the AFL ladder at home against the struggling Demons, who started the day placed 15th.
Yet, it was Melbourne who defeated the defending champions by 11 points, thanks to a dominant final-quarter surge and pivotal contributions from their key leaders.
Christian Petracca shows his desperation with a lunging tackle on Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft.Credit: Getty Images
Christian Petracca was at the heart of Melbourne’s fight, his efforts in the first three quarters keeping his side in striking distance, although they did trail by more than two goals at each interval.
He finished with 31 disposals, nine clearances and a pair of goal assists, while Max Gawn was typically strong with 46 hitouts, eight clearances and 22 disposals in the victory, 14.15 (99) to 13.10 (88).
On the back of their grunt work, the floodgates eventually opened, Jake Melksam leading the scoring for the Demons with four goals – one in each quarter – but joined on the scoresheet by nine other goalscorers.
In the end, the Demons could easily have won by a greater margin if not for their inaccuracy in the final term, when they kicked four goals and eight behinds.
Clayton Oliver had a run-with role on Lachie Neale and earned praise from his coach.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin reserved special praise for Clayton Oliver – who helped himself to 23 disposals and seven clearances in an engaging battle, as he was employed again as a negator, this time on two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.
Oliver’s transformation in the past 12 months – following a 2024 campaign marred by injuries and personal challenges – is taking shape, with Goodwin declaring him a selfless presence in the group.
“Clayton’s been brilliant in the last couple of weeks – his acceptance, his want, his desire to help the team is real leadership in terms of what it says to our younger players,” Goodwin said.
“You need to be selfless to be successful in this game, and they’re continuing to lead the way.
Simon Goodwin has a laugh with his coaching staff.Credit: Getty Images
“I think we saw tonight Clayton starting to evolve back to the player we all knew.
“I was pretty clear early through preseason that it’s going to take time, and we’re 10 weeks in, and you can see he’s starting to get his game back to a real high level.”
Coleman’s comeback
Less than two years ago, Keidean Coleman was within a hair’s breadth of claiming the Norm Smith Medal, only to suffer a ruptured ACL in the opening round of Brisbane’s victorious 2024 campaign.
Sir Doug Nicholls round was the perfect comeback for the Indigenous star to mark his return to the game, and his work in defence was crucial in giving Brisbane every chance to win across the opening three terms.
Coleman finished with 19 disposals and six marks, and his work with Dayne Zorko (27 disposals, two clearances) was instrumental in unleashing the Lions’ midfield threats.
“He probably played better than I expected he would - I thought he came forward and intercepted well a few times, and used the ball quite well. He’ll be able to build quite well on top of that,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
However, it was at the other end of the ground where the Lions struggled. Midfielders Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley, Zac Bailey and Hugh McCluggage all had at least 27 disposals for the game, Brisbane’s inefficiency in the forward 50 metres (54.7 per cent) was to their own demise.
The Lions were on top of the ladder before drawing in Tasmania against North Melbourne (17th) a week ago and losing to Melbourne (now 14th), so they have hit a flat patch in their season that overshadowed the positivity of Coleman’s return.
Fagan alluded to “effort stats” and tackle efficiency as markers of his team’s decline.
“It just came down to effort and hunger I think at the end,” he said. “When the whips were cracking in the fourth quarter we couldn’t get out of our backline, I think they scored four goals five [behinds] from turnover in the last quarter. The last couple of weeks, some things have popped up that we need to work on.”
It was a proud occasion for Kysaiah Pickett.Credit: Getty Images
Proud night for Pickett
His father designed the guernsey the Demons donned to celebrate Indigenous round, so it was only fitting that Kysaiah Pickett had a profound impact on proceedings at the Gabba.
Finishing with two goals, three clearances and 21 disposals, the 23-year-old was a genuine energy booster whenever his side needed a spark.
He may have been guilty of inaccuracy in front of the sticks – kicking four behinds – but that injection was vital for a Demons side who were in danger of watching their season slipping away.
“In the last quarter, I think we had 13 front half turnovers. I thought it was a great sign of maturity for our group,” Goodwin said. “It certainly builds a lot of belief in your footy club. We know we’ve been building for the last four or five weeks … and we’re excited about the youth.”
Darcy Gardiner’s vice-like marking proved an asset in the forward line for the Brisbane Lions.Credit: Getty Images
Unsung hero’s brave culmination in vain
Because of a ruptured ACL knee injury, Darcy Gardiner was forced to watch his teammates lift the premiership cup last year.
He had been there a year earlier when Collingwood broke Brisbane hearts, but was robbed of the chance to right those wrongs as his comrades did in the 2024 decider.
After a year spent battling to get back to his best, the 29-year-old, known as a key defender, found himself recast as a forward on Sunday. He kicked four goals in the seesawing affair, adding 13 disposals and a goal assist to his Sunday-night spreadsheet in a commanding, albeit slightly unexpected, display off the interchange.
With livewire youngster Logan Morris in support with three goals, Gardiner almost proved the unlikely match-winner.
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