AFL round 16 Brisbane v Melbourne: All the news and analysis as the Lions pinch it at the Gabba
It was a game no one gave the Demons a chance to win – but they almost did. Despite the final term and Hugh McCluggage dagger, Friday night was important for Melbourne, writes CALLUM DICK.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Who else but Hugh?
Cometh the moment, cometh the Lions’ latest million dollar man.
With less than two minutes to play and scores level, the magic right boot of McCluggage proved the dagger in the Demons’ heart when he set sail with a stunning strike from the boundary line to drag Brisbane off the canvas and into the top eight.
Trailing by 23 points at halftime and 15 at the turn for home, the Lions roared over the top of a gallant Melbourne in a final quarter that will be remembered as much for its comedy of errors as McCluggage’s moment of brilliance.
For much of the night a second fiddle to the suddenly scintillating Demons, Brisbane roared to life in the final quarter but almost left the four points on the table with some comical finishing.
HUGH MCCLUGGAGE CALLED GAME!#AFLLionsDeespic.twitter.com/Z62CqueIju
— AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2024
First there was Eric Hipwood’s handball to an unmarked Kai Lohmann that instead sailed over the small forward’s head and through for a behind.
Then came Joe Daniher’s in-two-minds moment when he was released on goal but chose to kick in-board to Charlie Cameron, who dropped a chest mark 10m out and another goal went begging.
When Melbourne’s vice-captain courageous Jack Viney launched himself horizontal to take down Zac Bailey as he waltzed into goal, it looked like the Demons were destined to hold on for a famous victory.
But the Lions refused to say die, in a game they had to win to keep top-four hopes alive.
The vaunted Brisbane midfield was outmuscled by its Melbourne counterparts at halftime.
Entering the night as the second-worst clearance team in the competition – and without superstar ball magnet Christian Petracca — the Demons dominated at the coalface and entered halftime well ahead in contested ball — previously an area of strength but this season something sorely lacking in their game.
That was until McCluggage and Lachie Neale decided enough was enough. The pair combined for 23 disposals in the third quarter alone as the Lions edged their way back into the match, before the hot-and-cold final quarter that ended with the vice-captain’s match-winner at the death.
While his midfield mates struggled for impact early, Josh Dunkley starred throughout and matched the incredible grit of Viney when Brisbane needed an answer.
The second-year Lion finished with a game-high 32 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances in a close-to best on ground display.
“I put Huey’s (Hugh McCluggage), Lachie’s (Lachie Neale) and Dunk’s (Josh Dunkley) stats up on the board at half time and the opposition’s and said ‘boys, we need to lift’,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said after the win.
“To their credit they gave us a massive lift in the second half and that just shows what great character those guys have.”
Friday night’s near scare was a wake-up call for the Lions, who this week had been lauded as a potential premiership contender after a stellar month of form.
If any of GWS, Geelong, Port Adelaide or Fremantle drop points this weekend the Lions will finish the round inside the top eight for the first time this season.
They were expected to take care of business against the Demons, who had looked levels below their best over the past month, only to scratch out a scrappy victory.
It proves there is still some rust left to knock off for Chris Fagan.
On the checks and balances, Simon Goodwin’s side will be filthy it did not leave the Gabba with the four premiership points.
“It’s shattering to lose the game, we came up here on a mission where a lot of people didn’t give us a chance,” Goodwin said post match.
“We’re proud of how the boys performed but incredibly disappointed with the result at the end. There was a game there for the taking and we walk away losing.
“We were pretty determined and felt like we had some things come back in our territory and contest game and the way we were defending, we knew we had some things going in the right direction.
“Their midfield got on top in the last quarter and in reality I think we went a bit safe, we’ve got a lot of young players and there’s a lot for us to unpack there.”
The brutal Demons looked back to something resembling their best.
For weeks a sheep in wolf’s clothing, Melbourne shed its uncontested persona on Friday night.
What presented as a gilt edged opportunity for the Lions to solidify their finals credentials morphed into a statement performance from the Demons in a game they were given little chance.
It was a line in the sand game for the visitors after a down few weeks in a showing reticent of the Demons of old. Tough, uncompromising and brutal.
It was their two contested bulls, Viney and Clayton Oliver, who steered the ship – with some Kysaiah Pickett class for the cherry on top.
What an insane finish!
— AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2024
Enjoy the Last Two Minutes of #AFLLionsDees thanks to Omo Australia. pic.twitter.com/spHIYYxTF7
After Melbourne’s month of malaise, punctuated by the 92-point hammering at the hands of Fremantle, Viney decided enough was enough.
When he threw himself in front of a swinging Hipwood boot to secure a loose ball late in the third quarter — inches from knocking himself out – groans rang out from the Gabba stands.
But Viney bounced to his feet, eager to return to the fight. It was a moment that played out again and again at the Gabba as the Demons’ lionhearted midfielder sought to reignite his side’s season with a heroic display that ultimately went unrewarded.
Melbourne finished +25 on its season average contested possessions, led by Viney who had 20 of his own.
Pleasingly for Demons fans, Oliver returned to something resembling his best with a team-high 29 disposals and a goal. That will need to become a regular output now that Petracca is out for the season.
“He’s worked incredibly hard, there’s been a lot of criticism out there about Clayton but I think he showed tonight why teams go to him,” Goodwin said.
“He’s a very important player who has a high level of skill and we’re rapt to see him back to his best tonight.”
Somewhat lost in the last gasp loss was Pickett’s five-goal haul, on a night where he could have had a career-best bag but for some wayward shots scattered amongst his incredible highlight reel.
This was the Pickett footy fans dream to see when they go to watch Melbourne play footy. It is the Pickett the Demons must see more of if they are to remain a contender in season 2024.
In a game where few gave them any chance, the Demons will leave Brisbane disappointed. But not in their performance, which was well up on the past month.
Unfortunately gallant victories don’t show on the ladder.
Originally published as AFL round 16 Brisbane v Melbourne: All the news and analysis as the Lions pinch it at the Gabba
Why Harley is ready for his moment in history
For the first time in his career – junior or senior – Harley Reid will step onto footy’s biggest stage on Sunday – the MCG. And, as MARK DUFFIELD finds out, he was made for these moments.
Cats complete again as Hawks hit a wall down the highway
Like many clubs before them, Hawthorn headed down the highway and drove straight into a wall, writes JOSH BARNES. But this was a game that told us more about Chris Scott’s Cats.