The Demons trailed by 10 points at half-time before losing 12.6 (78) to 16.11 (107) in what was the Lions' first win of the pre-season
Neville Jetta started well and applied impressive defensive pressure while youngsters Luke Tapscott and Jordan Gysberts caught the eye with some promising signs.
Tom Scully returned from a knee injury but failed to make an impact with just two handballs to half-time and 12 possessions at full-time.
Coach Dean Bailey said Scully's quiet return was more the result of Lion Andrew Raines' impressive defensive job than the aftermath of the Friday press conference in which he quashed speculation he has been approached by GWS.
"I think Tommy approached the game as he does. He worked particularly hard and he had a very close tag today," Bailey said.
"He'll learn from the football experience and I think he'll just get better and better as the training goes and as he starts playing more games."
Among those missing for Melbourne were Liam Jurrah, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes, Aaron Davey and Brad Green, however they will be available to play next week.
Bailey refused to place too much emphasis on those missing, instead highlighting the fact his players were plagued by mistakes around goal and didn't press hard enough against the free-wheeling Lions. That was highlighted by the Lions amassing 132 marks to Melbourne's 72.
"We allowed too many uncontested marks to be accumulated against us and I think we've certainly got to fix that this week before we play our first game," he said.
"That was disappointing. The stats were close but the scoreboard tells the real story and we coughed a couple of real easy goals against us against this week and we've really got to cut that out of the game if we're going to be closer in the contest."
Youngsters Daniel Rich and Tom Collier were among the best for the Lions while veterans Simon Black (26 possessions) and Luke Power (three goals) showed they have lost none of their spark with impressive performances.
There were no major injuries out of the match and no reports, although a scuffle between Black and Rohan Bail in the final quarter is likely to be scrutinised by the match review panel.
MELBOURNE 4.2 6.4 9.5 12.6 (78)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.4 7.8 13.9 16.11 (107)
GOALS
Melbourne: Maric 3, Watts 2, Martin, Jetta, Dunn, Sylvia, Petterd, Jamar, Bate
Brisbane Lions: Power 3, Clark 2, Bewick 2, O'Brien 2, Rockliff 2, Polkinghorne 2, Beams 2, Lester
BEST
Melbourne: Jetta, Sylvia, Jones, Bail, Maric, Tapscott, Jamar
Brisbane Lions: Rich, Clark, Adcock, Rockliff, Power, Collier, Lester
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Findlay, Ryan, Fila
Official crowd: 3000 (est.) at Visy Park
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL
