A SUBLIME Simon Black performance has led the Brisbane Lions to a 52-point win over Melbourne at the Gabba.

Black was at his brilliant best inside and out on a 31 degree Brisbane day with Rhan Hooper and Anthony Corrie playing second fiddle in the 19.23 (137) to 13.7 (85) win.

Hooper and Daniel Bradshaw (six goals) provided the main avenues to goal while Joel Patfull did an outstanding stopping job on Russell Robertson.

Bradshaw’s haul takes him equal with Buddy Franklin on top of the AFL goalkicking list, although Franklin plays later today.

The Lions were wasteful in the first quarter kicking 3.6 to 2.1 which limited their lead.

But they capitalised on their dominance early in the second term, slamming on four quick goals to blow the game apart.

Jonathan Brown looked on song with two first-term goals but it was the smaller brigade of Rhan Hooper and Anthony Corrie who were giving the Demons the most trouble. Hooper got three goals in the second term and Corrie two.

Melbourne’s only two goals of the first term came from young midfielder Nathan Jones. The rest of Melbourne’s forward set up was largely ineffective although they were starved of chances.

Austin Wonaeamirri booted two goals in the second term to give the visitors some hope but the Lions led by 41 points at the long break.

Bradshaw dominated the third quarter with three goals of his own with Jones and Wonaeamirri adding further to their tallies.

At three quarter time the Lions led by 56 points but the Demons emerged with plenty of verve for the last term and started to find some form.

Coming into today’s game, Melbourne had won just the two quarters for the season, both fourth quarters, against North Melbourne in round four and against Carlton last weekend.