MELBOURNE has survived a huge scare, holding off a ferocious Brisbane comeback to win by 26 points at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The Demons led by 42 points early in the third quarter, but when Allen Christensen kicked his third goal 10 minutes into the final term, scores were level.
But with the 17,141 home fans roaring, Melbourne steadied, with Jeff Garlett roving beautifully to snap a goal, then adding another three minutes later to give the visitors some breathing space.
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The latter came just moments after Dayne Zorko missed a simple set shot from 30m out and Melbourne swept the ball the length of the ground for Garlett to convert.
The Demons then ran away to win 14.16 (100) to 10.14 (74) to even their ledger at one win and one loss.
After losing in heartbreaking fashion to Geelong last week, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said he was thrilled with his team's late response.
"I loved the way we responded at that point when the scores got level," Goodwin said.
"We were brilliant around the ball late in the game.
"I thought we were led brilliantly by Nathan Jones and Clayton Oliver.
"We had some great learnings from last week, especially defensively."
WATCH: Nathan Jones slots a captain's goal
The Lions drop to 0-2 ahead of trips to play Port Adelaide and Richmond in the next fortnight.
Jesse Hogan was superb, kicking five goals to go with 22 disposals, nine marks (six inside 50) in a complete forward's performance.
WATCH: Electric Jeff Garlett turns it on
Garlett was also brilliant, kicking four goals all up and giving off two others, while Clayton Oliver (34 disposals, 21 contested) led a midfield that bullied their younger opponents in the first half.
WATCH: Jeff Garlett weaves his magic
Nathan Jones (28 touches and two goals) and Christian Petracca (24) were also strong.
For the Lions, Charlie Cameron (three goals) was dynamic, looking like he would single-handedly snatch his team victory.
WATCH: Charlie stars on home debut
After being easily their most dangerous player in a flat first half, the former Crow burst to life with two goals in two minutes early in the last quarter before Christensen levelled the scores.
The Lions will be left to rue their wastefulness with the ball though.
Talking points: Brisbane v Melbourne
Much like their loss against St Kilda last week, they butchered the ball in the opening quarter, gifting Melbourne a 31-point lead.
Luke Hodge – playing his first game at the Gabba in 10 years – hurried a clearing kick straight to Garlett that was returned over his head for a goal.
Alex Witherden was the culprit twice, once kicking out on the full and leading to an Alex Neal-Bullen goal, and then missing a short chip in the middle of the ground that quickly went the other way for a goal to Bayley Fritsch.
WATCH: Jesse Hogan kicks his fifth
Aside from the turnovers, coach Chris Fagan said he was most disappointed with the Lions' contested ball numbers, losing the count 169-146.
"Two weeks in a row we've given teams a start," Fagan said.
"We probably had our opportunities to go on with it but just botched some shots and made some turnovers and they made us pay.
"I'm proud of the group for their fightback, it showed lots of heart."
MEDICAL ROOM
Brisbane: No major problems for the Lions. Skipper Dayne Beams had a gash to his head taped up in the opening half but played the game out. Beams was quiet in the second half, but coach Chris Fagan confirmed post-match there was nothing wrong with the Lions’ leader. Rhys Mathieson got through his first match back following a hamstring strain without a problem.
Melbourne: Like their opponents, no real issues for the Demons either. Second-game forward Bayley Fritsch looked in strife early in the third term when he copped a knee to the ribs from Darcy Gardiner, but after a long delay and hobbling off, the 21-year-old returned to kick his second goal late in the match.
NEXT UP
Melbourne will look to make it back-to-back wins next Saturday when it returns to the MCG to play Good Friday victors North Melbourne at 2.10pm. The Lions have a difficult task in breaking their 2018 duck, travelling to Adelaide Oval to play Port Adelaide earlier that day at 1.15pm.
WATCH: Cedric Cox kicks a long goal
BRISBANE 0.3 2.6 5.11 10.14 (74)
MELBOURNE 5.4 8.7 9.11 14.16 (100)
GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Christensen 3, Bewick, Zorko, Hipwood, Cox
Melbourne: Hogan 5, Garlett 4, Jones 2, Fritsch 2, Neal-Bullen,
BEST
Brisbane: Cameron, Christensen, Cox, Taylor, Zorko
Melbourne: Hogan, Garlett, Oliver, Jones, Petracca
INJURIES
Brisbane: nil
Melbourne: nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Hosking
Official crowd: 17, 141 at the Gabba
