Game Detail

Round: 1   Venue: M.C.G   Date: Sat, 31-03-2012 1:45 pm   Attendance: 33,473
Melbourne	3.3.21	7.4.46	8.8.56	11.12.78	C:
Brisbane	1.4.10	7.8.50	13.13.91	17.17.119	C:
	ME by 11	BL by 4	BL by 35	BL by 41

Weather

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Match Report

The majority of the football world thought Melbourne would power to victory against the Brisbane Lions to honour the memory of club legend Jim Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer in the weeks leading up to the game. But instead of boosting the Demons, the emotional few weeks seemed to weigh down the club on match day. The young Lions, led by veteran Simon Black, dominated around the clearances all afternoon to run out comfortable 41-point winners. Although they dominated the first half, Brisbane could only manage a four-point lead at the main break. But they blew the game apart in the third quarter, booting six goals to the Demons’ one. Missing their inspirational skipper Jonathan Brown through injury, the Lions found plenty of other avenues to goal. Midfielder Tom Rockliff was marking everything that came his way, finishing with three goals, although he could have had eight, missing several easy opportunities. Daniel Merrett and James Polkinghorne were also dangerous in the Lions’ forward 50. Claye Beams, brother of Collingwood player Dayne, was important in the midfield for the Lions and was rewarded with his efforts with a round one NAB Rising Star nomination. New Melbourne coach Mark Neeld was scathing of his side in a post-match interview. The former Collingwood assistant coach vowed to drastically change the side for next week and refused to blame the emotional weeks leading up to the game as an excuse for the poor performance.

GOALS
Melbourne: Magner, Howe, Clark 2; Martin, Watts, Trengove, Green, Davey. Brisbane: Rockliff,  Banfield, Polkinghorne 3; Hanley, Merrett 2; Leuenberger, Adcock, McGrath, Sheldon.

BEST PLAYERS - AFL.COM.AU
Melbourne: Magner, Trengove, Watts, Frawley. Brisbane: Black, Rich, Hanley, Rockliff, Adcock, McGrath.

BEST PLAYERS - HERALD SUN
Melbourne: Jamar, Trengove, Magner, Jones, Frawley, Macdonald. Brisbane: Black, Rockliff, Rich, Hanley, Adcock, Beams.

COACHES COMMENTS
Mark Neeld (Mel): Will the same 22 travel to Perth? Not on your life. Am I going to go down a similar road and continue to put blind faith in players? No way. Absolutely, no way. This industry, it's accountable. I'm accountable. So I should be. So are these blokes (players).
Michael Voss (Bris): You want some rewards when you've come off a pre-season where you've worked really hard and we were able to get some of those today. To have that win and next week be on the national stage, it's really good for our group.

Umpires: Dalgleish, Leppard, Grun

Official crowd: 33,473 at MCG

Player Stats