In an AFL match Melbourne were supposed to win for Jim Stynes, Brisbane did what they needed to do.
They took the emotion out of it – and made the game about who played the best football.
On that score, there was only one team in it at the MCG on Saturday – the Lions producing one of their most impressive performances under coach Michael Voss to post a 41-point win for just their fifth victory in 12 months.
All Melbourne’s emotional investment in honouring Stynes’ memory was bankrupted by the Lions’ impressive third quarter burst – a six goals to one term built on tackling pressure, superior hardness and slick ball use.
Brisbane’s Jed Adcock, Simon Black and Claye Beams ran amok in the midfield, while Voss’ decision to deploy midfielder Tom Rockliff as a makeshift forward paid off handsomely with three goals.
Todd Banfield and James Polkinghorne also booted three goals each for the Lions in the 17.17 (119) to 11.12 (78) win.
After a minute’s applause for Stynes from the 33,000-plus crowd prior to the match, the best the Demons could do to channel the emotion was arm-wrestle the Lions for two quarters before being overrun entirely.
“To come to the MCG first round, we’ve been able to knock over Melbourne in unique circumstances in what was surrounding the match itself and the importance to the Melbourne footy club,” a thrilled Voss said of his side’s win.
Melbourne coach Mark Neeld refused to blame the Stynes factor in any way for his side’s poor showing.
“Don’t for one minute think I’m going to hide behind that or let the players hide behind it,” Neeld said.
“You can’t tell me due to the fact we’ve had an emotional week that the Brisbane midfielders were better than our midfielders. No way, I’m not copping that.”
Voss believes the circumstances and style of the win could prove an important marker for his young side as they attempt to improve on a wretched 2011.
“To build belief, you actually need points of reference,” Voss said.
“We haven’t had a hell of a lot of those in recent times. It’s probably been built more out of adversity.
“To get those belief moments, you’ve got to have reference points and this is an important reference point for the group.”
Ex-Brisbane player Mitch Clark was barely a factor against his old club.
Clark booted two late fourth quarter goals for the Demons with the match already lost, with his opposite number Matt Maguire having far the better of their match-up.
