Before Sunday, the last time the Brisbane Lions had walked onto the turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they celebrated the pinnacle of the sport - an AFL premiership secured in emphatic fashion for the second consecutive year.

In stark contrast, the Melbourne Football Club entered the same timeframe as a smouldering ruin, a club in turmoil. A disappointing 14th-place finish, the dismissal of their coach, and widely reported cultural issues had left the club searching for direction. Incoming president Steven Smith was candid in his assessment, describing standards and behaviours as “not good,” with internal discord and off-field concerns compounding the crisis.

The appointment of coach Steven King signalled a decisive break from the past. In a bold and controversial move, established stars including Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Steven May were moved on as part of a sweeping cultural reset. King made no grand promises of immediate success, but he was unequivocal about his intent: Melbourne would adopt a fast, daring style of play - one that ensured the team would leave no one to die wondering.

Against this backdrop, Melbourne welcomed Brisbane back to the MCG in a Round 6 milestone match for champion Lion Lachie Neale, who was playing his 300th game. What followed was a dramatic and high-quality contest. After squaring the opening term an falling behind late in the second, the Demons produced some scintillating form after the main interval, piling on 11 goals to secure a hard-fought two-point victory, a margin that scarcely reflected some periods of dominance in the latter half of the game, but one that underscored both the potency and risk inherent in their attacking approach.

Key moments defined the closing stages of the match. Jacob van Rooyen proved pivotal with some crucial goals and his strong marking presence, while captain Max Gawn delivered a decisive late tackle close to the end aided by Jack Steele on dual Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft to steady his side. The final siren sparked jubilant scenes, fitting on a day that also honoured the club’s legendary ruckman Jim Stynes - and added another memorable chapter to the leadership of its current champion ruckman in Max Gawn.

Melbourne’s performance was underpinned by contributions across the ground. The quick movement by hand was outstanding despite some inevitable errors. Ed Langdon’s run was superhuman. Bayley Fritsch showed his versatility in an excellent coaching move that saw him playing further from his customary forward line spot. Kysaiah Pickett and Kade Chandler provided moments of sheer brilliance, while recruit Jack Steele impressed with his composure and resilience. Brodie Mihocek offered a strong presence in attack, Tom Sparrow continued his steady development, and Koltyn Tholstrup delivered a breakout performance. Debutants Max Heath and Xavier Taylor also showed encouraging signs, Latrelle Pickett played his best game yet and demonstrated an impressive tank, while a standout display from young wingman Harvey Langford, who only recently turned 20, highlighted his and the club’s promising future.

To Brisbane’s credit, the reigning premiers were relentless. They refused to concede, applying pressure until the final moments and nearly stealing the match, aided in part by a late defensive error from a clearly unwell Harrison Petty.

Ultimately, however, this was a defining victory for Melbourne - not just in result, but in significance. It marked an early vindication of King’s bold vision and demonstrated a newfound resilience and identity, forged against one of the competition’s benchmark teams.

MELBOURNE  4.1.25 5.6.36 11.8.74 16.8.104

BRISBANE 4.1.25 8.4.52 10.8.68 15.12.102    

GOALS

MELBOURNE Chandler Langford van Rooyen 3 Fritsch Mihocek Sharp 2 Steele

BRISBANE Cameron Morris 3 Rayner 2 Allen W Ashcroft Draper Fletcher Lohmann McCarthy McCluggage

BEST 

MELBOURNE Langford K Pickett Steele Tholstrup Chandler Gawn

BRISBANE Neale W Ashcroft Andrews Reville Wilmont Morris Neale

LATE CHANGES

MELBOURNE Nil

BRISBANE Darcy Fort (illness) replaced in selected side by Zane Zakostelsky

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Harrison Petty (head) 

BRISBANE Noah Answerth (concussion) Jarrod Berry (calf)

UMPIRES Cameron Dore Robert O'Gorman Andrew Stephens Andrew Adair

CROWD 41,629 at the MCG

To think a couple of so-called experts predicted that Melbourne would finish bottom four and win only three or four games for the year.