Demons steal thriller with miracle comeback, Brisbane’s MCG curse continues

The Melbourne Demons have pulled off a miracle comeback against the Lions to ensure Brisbane’s MCG curse continues.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Jake Melksham of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 18 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 14, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Melbourne have overturned a 28-point deficit to beat the Brisbane Lions by one point in one of the games of the season at the MCG on Friday night.

The Lions appeared to cruising to victory when Joe Daniher put them up by 26 points early in the final term by kicking his second goal of the night.

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However, Melbourne refused to give in, and when Jack Viney ripped the ball from Oscar McInerney’s grasp at the stoppage and booted it home from 20m out, he got the Demons back within five points with 2:12 to go.

And with 33 seconds to go, Jake Melksham was the hero as he took a spectacular pack mark from three deep, before slotting the set shot from 45m out to put the Demons back in front.

Melbourne survived one last scare on the final siren when Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood claimed a contested mark 50m out from goal, but the umpire rightly paid the grab to Jake Lever, sending the Melbourne faithful in attendance into delirium as they held on 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104).

But Melbourne themselves let a sizeable lead slip too. After they booted the first four goals of the game inside eight minutes, to skip out to an early 25-point lead, the Lions took total control of the match.

Jake Melksham kicked the matchwinner. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brisbane’s foot skills dramatically improved and they dominated the ball after turning the tide in the middle of the ground as Melbourne’s forward synergy started to fray.

The Lions’ advantage stretched out to a game-high 28 points in the third stanza after booting their second run of four consecutive goals, as they smashed the Demons in the territory battle.

The superior running capacity that Brisbane’s vaunted on-ball brigade displayed seemingly overwhelmed the Oliver-less Demons midfield.

However, the Demons had other ideas and they kicked the last four goals after the ball spent most of the time in their forward half in the final term.

In the end Melbourne smashed Brisbane in contested possessions (145-126) and clearances (45-32), despite missing Clayton Oliver against Brisbane’s stacked midfield group.

The result, and the manner of the loss, will only fuel discussion about Brisbane’s MCG curse The Lions beat Melbourne there in last year’s finals in their only win at the MCG since 2014.

Fair to say that doesn’t change the MCG narrative for Brisbane #AFLDeesLions

— 🎙️QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) July 14, 2023

Lions struggles at the mcg continue. Hard to win the flag when you can’t win there

— Dane Swan (@swandane) July 14, 2023

GAWN THRIVES WITHOUT GRUNDY

Max Gawn clearly relished the chance to be Melbourne’s sole ruckman, after Brodie Grundy was sensationally dropped, and he finished with 29 disposals (21 contested), five marks, 10 clearances, seven tackles, 38 hit-outs and a goal.

Christian Petracca was once again outstanding up forward for the Demons, registering 26 disposals (16 contested), seven clearances and four goals.

For Brisbane, Joe Daniher was spectacular and he beat star Melbourne defender Steven May so convincingly in the first half that the Demons were forced to move Harrison Petty onto him after the main break.

But that didn’t last long after Petty was subbed out in the third term due to an unspecified injury. It forced May to go back onto Daniher in the final quarter, and Daniher continued to impact the contest and finished with 24 touches, eight marks and two goals.

Max Gawn had an absolute blinder as sole ruck. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

FABULOUS FLETCHER

Will Ashcroft might rightfully be stealing all the limelight from a Brisbane father-son perspective this year, but Jaspa Fletcher showed in the second term that he’s no slouch either. After courageously going back with the flight of the ball on the outer wing against Melbourne’s Lachie Hunter, he won the contest, gathered the loose ball, took a bounce, and drilled a sensational goal from 45m out to get Brisbane within five points.

BOWEY MAKES MCKENNA PAY

Brisbane defender Conor McKenna had a moment he would rather forget early in the second period when he attempted to spot up Ashcroft form the kick-in. Unfortunately for the Irishman, he booted the ball over the No.2 pick’s head, allowing Melbourne’s Jake Bowey to collect the loose pill and kick the easy goal from 40m out to put the Demons up by 24 points.

Originally published as Demons steal thriller with miracle comeback, Brisbane’s MCG curse continues