Lions have ‘point to prove’ against Demons at MCG

The Brisbane Lions haven’t forgotten their humiliating loss to Melbourne last month and are desperate to make amends on Friday night.

Brandon Starcevich (right) was thrilled with Brisbane’s elimination final win over Richmond. Picture: Russell Freeman / AFL Photos via Getty Images

The scars from Brisbane’s embarrassing loss to Melbourne last month are yet to heal for defender Brandon Starcevich, who has promised a rousing response at the MCG on Friday night.

It’s do or die for both the Lions and Demons in what’s set to be a no-holds-barred semi-final.

The Lions are still smarting from their 58-point loss to Melbourne at the Gabba in the final round of the regular season less than three weeks ago.

With a top-four ladder spot on the line, the Lions capitulated in front of their loyal fans, with the game over by half-time when the Demons led by 11 goals.

“I definitely wasn’t playing my best and I think there were a few guys like that,” said Starcevich, who added that the performance left him “pretty shattered”.

The Lions put the loss behind them to beat Richmond in last week’s thrilling elimination final at the Gabba.

Brandon Starcevich is preparing to nullify Melbourne’s dangerous forward line. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

“It was good to get out there and bounce back (against the Tigers),” Starcevich said.

“Coming up against (the Demons) again, a few guys want to respond a second time.”

Starcevich predicted a “fiery” affair but hoped the sledging which marred the Demons’ big win at the Gabba would not go overboard.

“The intensity of the finals will ramp it up a little bit; it always does,” he said.

“A bit of banter here and there is fine, but obviously there’s things you can and can’t say.”

Starcevich said keeping Melbourne’s forwards quiet was arguably the toughest challenge in the AFL.

“We absolutely know how dangerous their forward line is and how they have got variety and different ways to get you,” he said.

Starcevich is set to get the job of defending Bayley Fritsch or Kysaiah Pickett.

If he’s asked to contain Pickett, his efforts to keep Tigers star Shai Bolton relatively quiet last week will hold him in good stead.

“They’ve got similar traits,” Starcevich said.

“It’s pretty hard to stop (Pickett). He’s so dynamic and always moving, and when the ball hits the deck he can do some freakish stuff, so it’s all about trying to keep him away from the drop of the ball, which, with a guy that agile and quick, is pretty hard to do at times.

“Hopefully the ball doesn’t fall his way.”

To advance to a preliminary final – where minor premier Geelong awaits – the Lions must win at the MCG for the first time since 2014.

“It’s got four sticks at either end. A footy ground’s a footy ground. We won’t worry about that too much,” Starcevich said.

“A lot of people have written us off and we’ve got a point to prove,”

Originally published as Lions have ‘point to prove’ against Demons at MCG