Brisbane Lions defeat Melbourne Demons to snap eight-year MCG hoodoo

The Brisbane Lions have pulled off a stunning win against the reigning premiers as they shattered an ugly MCG hoodoo.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Charlie Cameron of the Lions celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Second Semi Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 9, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Brisbane Lions have booked their spot into a preliminary final showdown against Geelong after taking down the reigning premiers.

The Lions entered the contest after scraping through in week one and looked down and out in the first half against a rampant Melbourne outfit.

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As the second half got underway however it was a different looking Lions who turned the tables and put the Demons to the sword as they came roaring back into the contest.

An 11 goal to five second half saw the Lions claim the 14.8 (92) to 11.13 (78) victory and advance into the third week of the finals.

In doing so the Lions broke their MCG hoodoo, a venue they haven't won at since 2014 and were riding an 11-game losing streak.

Brisbane's Jarrod Berry may face a nervous wait from the match review panel after a third quarter scuffle with Clayton Oliver, but that didn't stop him from producing a second half for the ages after he was put on Oliver.

Berry had 22 second half touches and got the better of Oliver all over the ground.

"That is as good a second half as I've seen anyone play on a bloke who I think is in the best couple of players in the league," Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy.

Jarrod Berry, take a bow.

A massive bow. #AFLDeesLions #AFLFinals

— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) September 9, 2022

Berry's second half was unbelievable, but that suspect gouging vision means he might not play again this year... #AFLDeesLions

— Mike Wise (@wisey_9) September 9, 2022

Tempers flared between Clayton Oliver and Jarrod Berry. #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/6gA5NbAlIf

— AFL (@AFL) September 9, 2022

The Lions will take on the Cats next Friday night, back at the MCG with the winner booking a spot in the 2022 AFL Grand Final.

Melbourne join the West Coast Eagles (2007) and Hawthorn (2016) as reigning premiers to be knocked out in straight sets the following season.