Melbourne was beset by injuries and swimming against the tide in its first semi final match up against Brisbane. The team still fought tooth and nail in the opening half but their hard earned 21 point half time lead evaporated to nothing by the final break. The pattern had been set and the energy simply wasn’t there. The Lions were able to take control of proceedings and they unceremoniously marched the Demons out of the finals in straight sets.

MELBOURNE 3.6.24 6.8.44 8.11.59 11.13.79



BRISBANE LIONS 1.3.9 3.4.23 9.5.59 14.8.92

THE TEAMS


MELBOURNE 

B: C.Salem 3 S.May 1 H.Petty 35
HB: A.Brayshaw 10 J.Lever 8 M.Hibberd 14 
C:  T.Sparrow 32 C.Oliver 13 E.Langdon 15
HF: J.Melksham 18 M.Gawn 11 J.Harmes 4
F:  A.Neal-Bullen 30 B.Fritsch 31 C.Spargo 9 
Foll: L.Jackson 6 J.Viney 7 C.Petracca 5
I/C: B.Brown 50 J.Hunt 29 K.Pickett 36 T.Rivers 24 Sub: J.Smith 44
Emerg: T.Bedford 12 J.Bowey 17 J.Van Rooyen 21

No change

BRISBANE LIONS

B:  D.Gardiner 27 D.McStay 25 D.Rich 10
HB: B.Starcevich 37 H.Andrews 31 K.Coleman 18
C: Z.Bailey 33 J.Berry 7 C.Ah Chee 4
HF: D.Zorko 15  E.Hipwood 30 L.McCarthy 11
F: J.Payne 40 T.Fullarton 21 3 C.Cameron 23
Foll: D.Fort 32 46 L.Neale 9 H.McCluggage 6
I/C: N.Answerth 43 C.Rayner 16 D.Robertson 2 D.Wilmot 44
Emerg: K.Lohmann 1Emerg: R.Lester 35 K.Lohmann 1 R.Mathieson 36 J.Prior 20

In: N.Answerth D.Fort T.Fullarton C.Rayner

Out: J.Daniher (personal reasons) O.McInerney (ill) R.Mathieson (omitted) J. Prior (omitted) M.Robinson (omitted)

I don't want to think about it.

I look at the selected team and wonder to myself how they could ever have left Jake Bowey out of the side?