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It was tight, frenetic and at times fiery football, but the Demons are now just one victory away from playing finals football for the first time in eleven years, after outlasting the Lions to claim a vital 13-point win.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Melbourne Demons 16.8.104
Brisbane Lions 14.7.91
They’re close. The Melbourne Demons are so close to returning to the finals for the first time since 2006, but first they’ll have to face a resurgent Brisbane Lions team fresh off a commanding performance in the Q-Clash. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:10pm (AEST).
Eleven years have passed since the Demons bested the Saints in the 2006 Elimination final.
Since then, the Demons have gone through four head coaches, ‘won’ two wooden spoons and survived near financial ruin.
It’s been a messy and arduous road for the club but after many missteps, led by first-year coach Simon Goodwin, the Demons look set to play September football.
Playing in a virtual final against St Kilda last week, Melbourne showed they are capable of handling pressure, registering a four-goal victory.
Set up with a six-goal opening quarter, the Demons built a 40-point lead early, before relying on veterans Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis to hold off a spirited Saints comeback.
Now occupying seventh spot on the ladder, Melbourne’s equation is a simple one – win their last two matches and a spot in the top eight is a certainty.
On paper their draw seems favourable – facing the 13th placed Magpies in Round 23 and hosting the prospective wooden-spooners Brisbane, this week.
However, underestimate these young Lions at your peril.
Though inexperienced, Brisbane have bucked the expected trend of young teams, finishing the season full of run.
Claiming Brisbane were desperate to avoid the wooden spoon, Chris Fagan’s men have played like it – registering four of their five victories in the latter half of the season.
Hence, the Lions will take a very settled line-up into Sunday’s match, making only one change with rising star nominee Alex Witherden replacing Cedric Cox.
Meanwhile, the Demons were dealt a blow during the week with star and co-captain Jack Viney being ruled out due to a foot injury.
However, the loss of Viney is mitigated by the remarkable inclusion of gun forward Jesse Hogan, who returns just two weeks after breaking his collar bone.
In other team news, wingman Billy Stretch makes his way into the squad at the expense of Sam Weideman.
Prediction
The Lions have shown they are capable of challenging teams in the top eight – pushing the Bulldogs for four quarters two weeks ago, and toppling Essendon in round 15.
With key positon players Harris Andrews and Eric Hipwood improving every week, and young stars Hugh McCluggage and Alex Witherden providing class through the midfield, the Lions are chock full of talent.
However, with a Finals berth on the line, the experienced Demons should prove too much for the Lions, claiming the four points on offer.
Demons by 29 points
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