Australian Football

Match Report

The pressure has eased slightly on Brisbane coach Michael Voss after the Lions recorded a passable 28-point win over lowly Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at the 'Gabba. Pressure had been mounting on Voss after Brisbane had recorded just one win (a narrow one against Gold Coast) in the first four rounds, and being largely non-competitive in two others. But after an even first half, Brisbane managed to shake off a persistent Demon outfit in the third quarter to set up a 25-point lead at the last change before coasting home to win by 28.

New Lion Brent Moloney, who Melbourne had let go at the end of the 2012 season, dominated against his old team, gathering 10 kicks and an amazing 26 handballs. This would have angered some Demons' fans, who believe that Moloney should have been retained by Melbourne. Tom Rockliff (34 possessions and a goal), Matthew Leuenberger (three goals and 23 hit-outs) and Sam Mayes (28 touches) were also very good for Brisbane.

The Demons were well served by Colin Sylvia (19 possessions), Dean Terlich (14 kicks, 10 handpasses) and Shannon Byrnes (21 touches).

Brisbane, with two wins, are only a game out of the eight but they have a horror stretch ahead of them over the next nine rounds with games against finals contenders Sydney, West Coast, Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong and Hawthorn, with only a round 11 bye as respite. Melbourne will face Carlton at the MCG next Sunday, followed by matches against St Kilda and Richmond.

GOALS
Brisbane: Brown, Leuenberger, Zorko 3; Cornelius 2; Polkinghorne, Adcock, Redden, Paparone, Bewick, Rockliff
Melbourne: Howe, Gawn 2; Bail, N Jones, Jamar, Tapscott, Watts, McKenzie, Rodan, Pederson, Davey

BEST - THE AGE
Brisbane: Moloney, Mayes, Polkinghorne, Leuenberger, Zorko, Rockliff
Melbourne: Byrnes, Sylvia, Terlich, Watts

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Brisbane: Mayes, Moloney, Leuenberger, Zorko, Rockliff
Melbourne: Trengove, Watts, Terlich, Grimes, Sylvia

COACHES' COMMENTS
Michael Voss (Bris): It's important that our players got into some form. That was the big one. We've probably had guys thereabouts but not as in convincing form as what they were tonight. Tonight there was lots of guys with plenty of ball in their hands.

Mark Neeld (Melb): [A losing margin of] under five goals on the road, kicking 14 goals, those things were good. At times our ball-movement really challenged the Lions' defence. It's a good start those types of things. They're the positives.

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Sam Docherty on for Billy Longer in the fourth quarter
Melbourne: Aaron Davey on for Sam Blease in the third quarter

REPORTS
Brisbane: James Polkinghorne for tripping in the first quarter
Melbourne: Nil

UMPIRES: McBurney, Bannister, Leppard