Dees outlast Lions

Melbourne   90 defeated Brisbane Lions   81

Melbourne has secured a nine-point victory against Brisbane at the Telstra Dome tonight to advance to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup.

Russell Robertson slotted through five majors, including the winner, in the scrappy contest.

Skipper David Neitz returned for the Demons, albeit a little rusty according to the umpires: “It’s alright mate. You’re a bit scratchy, it’s your first game.” Phillip Read, Jeff White and Alistair Nicholson also played their first games for the year.

The Lions were without last week’s match winner Jared Brennan, captain Michael Voss and Jonathan Brown, although Jason Akermanis returned and Irish recruit Colm Begley made his debut.

Souring the Melbourne victory is a suspected hyperextension injury to backman Jared Rivers.

Russell Robertson continued his good form with five majors and excitement machine Aaron Davey slotted through two as well as contributing with numerous chase downs. The class of Travis Johnstone was on display all night as last year’s best and fairest winner accumulated 19 disposals and set up an abundance of goal scoring opportunities.

The Lions fought hard all night and the former Swan Ben Fixter was impressive in his first games in Lions colours, he notched up 18 touches. In a scrappy affair the sublime skills of Simon Black were prominent, as the Brownlow medallist amassed a game high 29 possessions. Mitch Clark and Daniel Merrett were again dominant in the forward line with both players booting three goals.

The first term was error riddled with neither side able to gain clear possession. Jayden Attard booted the first goal, which was soon followed by an Aaron Davey swooping goal. The Demons didn’t make the most of their opportunities with Byron Pickett and Chris Johnson missing easy goals.

A strong tackle from Lion youngster Jed Adcock saw Pickett striped of the ball enabling Black to give Merrett his first major of the night. Melbourne took a meagre two-point lead into the second term.

Finally, after a quarter of rushed football, both teams started to settle. Last week’s heroic debutant Scott Harding booted the first goal of the term, courtesy of a Merrett spillage. Neitz then gave away a fifty-metre penalty giving the Lions the momentum momentarily.

The turning point of the term came when Lion youngster Wayde Mills gave away a free kick to Robertson for in the back. Robertson missed the goal, only to get a reprieve when Mills hip and shouldered him, enabling him to regain momentum for the Dees. It then became a game of goal for goal with Melbourne coming out on top, taking a 14-point advantage into the third term.

A gutsy floating mark from Adcock left him feeling the after affects, as the Demons scored the first two goals of the term extending their lead. But the Lions never gave up and mobile big Clark attacked the ball, retrieving it from the hands of other players to tumble through his second.

Minutes later the West Australian kicked his third. He then received a handpass from Merrett and set-up a Tim Notting running goal. Brisbane were back in the match and with Luke Power booting a goal fifty-metres out on the siren it looked as if the Lions would get up.

Notting kicked his second seconds into the final term. Power was suffered at the hands of the umpires when he was announced throwing the ball. The iffy decision resulted in a Demon Chris Johnson major.

The next two goals went to Merrett and Akermanis before Davey helped reinforce the situation for the Demons. Rightfully so, Robertson put Melbourne back in front with his fifth major, sealing the victory with minutes to spare.

Melbourne takes on the winner of the Adelaide and Hawthorn quarter-final match next weekend.

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