Brisbane Lions torched after producing insipid display against Melbourne

Brisbane have been smashed from pillar to post by angry footy fans after producing a lifeless display on Friday against the reigning premiers.

Not great, Dayne. Not great. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Brisbane Lions had a shot to secure a top four finish on the AFL ladder and lock away a double chance in the finals series.

In front of their home fans and against the reigning premiers they had a chance to make a statement in the final game of the 2022 season.

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It quickly became evident they simply weren’t up to the task as Melbourne put them to the sword in devastating fashion.

After several weeks of up and down performances, the Demons looked at their absolute best as they torched the Lions and ran away to hold a 66 point halftime lead.

It was as dire for the Lions as you can imagine. As Melbourne forward Ben Brown lined up for a shot after the siren, Lions skipper Dayne Zorko attempted to ignite a fire by engaging in some push and shove.

But even those attempts fell flat with fans condemning the midfielder for trying to engage in a brawl when his side was being wiped off the park.

Fans watching on, excited about tuning in for a Friday night blockbuster between two top four sides, were quick to slam the Lions for their lifeless display.

Lions legend Jonathan Brown couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“I’m embarrassed to be a Lions supporter tonight,” Brown told Fox Footy. “That is very disappointing.

“Unfortunately, Chris Fagan will need 22 couches in that locker room, because Melbourne are well and truly in the Lions’ heads.

“Well done to the Demons, they were fantastic. But how bad are the Lions?”

Journalist John Hunt wrote: “On a night with so much a stake, this has been such a meek, listless, lazy and passionless performance from Brisbane.”

Absolutely horrific from Brisbane. #AFLLionsDees

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) August 19, 2022

fair to say you can take that completely on face value. sign of what Melbourne are still capable of, and Brisbane's weaknesses that have been well identified for months, completely exposed. #AFLLionsDees

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) August 19, 2022

Standing ovation for the Dees from a huge chunk of travelling fans as they leave the Gabba at half time.

Is that the worst half of football the Lions have played in 4 years? Just absolutely smoked. Not even close to being competitive.#afl#afllionsdees

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 19, 2022

Who are you really kidding when you push and shove and yap while your team is 11 goals down at half-time? #AFLLionsDees

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) August 19, 2022

The numbers painted an even uglier picture for the Lions who registered the same number of inside 50s (26) as their opponents, but simply couldn’t capitalise.

Brisbane can fall to sixth on the ladder barring other results over the weekend, a sixth placed finish would give them a home final in the opening week however it would come in a do-or-die contest.