Head to head: Brisbane Lions 15 wins, Melbourne 19 wins, no draws
Last time: Melbourne 15.13 (103) d Brisbane Lions 7.11 (53), round five, 2010 at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Matt Austin (leg) - season
Donald Barry (sinus) - season
Callum Bartlett (knee) - season
Simon Black (ankle) - test
Amon Buchanan (quad) - TBC
Jamie Charman (ankle) - season
Josh Drummond (knee) - 2 weeks
Mitch Golby (knee) - season
Andrew Raines (quad) - 1 week
Troy Selwood (glute) - test
Melbourne
Jack Grimes (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks
Jordie Gysberts (back) - 2-4 weeks
Rhys Healey (hamstring) - test
Danny Hughes (ankle) - 3-4 weeks
John Meesen (foot) - season
Brent Moloney (corked thigh) - test
Michael Newton (quad) - 1 week
Ricky Petterd (shoulder) - season
Jake Spencer (back) - 2 weeks
FORM
Brisbane Lions: LLLLL
Melbourne: LLWLW
SUMMARY
This week, the Lions come up against the team that started their fall from grace this year - they were flying, in second at 4-0, before they travelled to the MCG to take on the ninth-placed Demons. A 50-point belting ensued, and the Lions have only won once since, falling to 14th and seeing the media-blowtorch get turned up a few notches on the players and the coach. It's not going to be much easier this weekend, either, despite it being at the Gabba - the 14th-placed Lions were caned last weekend by Geelong, while the Demons pulled one out of the hat with a 73-point flogging of the Sydney Swans, in the process giving Paul Roos his heaviest defeat as a coach. The venue does provide an historical advantage though, with the Lions winning 11 of 16, including the past three.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Is Brendan Fevola really interested? With talk around that he wants to go back to Melbourne, his performances have mirrored the team's and have fallen away. A bag of four in round 15 against the Saints is his only multiple effort since the mid-season break. He needs to start kicking goals again.
James Frawley had a breakout year in 2009 finishing top-10 in the best and fairest count and has continued that form this year, becoming a leading member of the impressive Melbourne defensive unit. Expect him to get Jonathan Brown or Fevola.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the under-the-pump Lions reverse all the trends and win a game?
Can the Demons continue on from last weekend and smash another interstate side?
Will Brad Green continue his stellar form?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The venue says Brisbane Lions, current form says the Demons. Current form has to be given the stronger consideration as the Dees are simply playing a better brand of football.
PREDICTION
Melbourne by 28 points
Chat with host Scott Beveridge and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 6.40pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afllionsdemons
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
