Melbourne have put their AFLW season back on track with a pulsating six-point win over Brisbane at Casey Fields.
There was controversy on Friday night at the final siren, with Brisbane players pleading in vain for a free kick in attack, but the Demons held on to win 4.10 (34) to 4.4 (28).
It is the first time the Lions have been beaten on the road in two AFLW seasons.
Melbourne had lost their past two games and the win means they join top side the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane on three wins with two rounds left.
A week after only managing nine disposals, Demons captain Daisy Pearce led the way with 23 possessions and two goals.
Lions star Sabrina Frederick-Traub kicked her third goal late in the last quarter to reduce the margin to a goal.
But despite repeated attacks from Brisbane, that was the last score of the match.
Melbourne forward Tegan Cunningham and Lions defender Nicole Hildebrand did not return to the field after they had a sickening collision late in the third quarter.
Karen Paxman and Elise O’Dea also starred for the Demons, while defender Kate Lutkins, utility Kaitlyn Ashmore and Frederick-Traub were best for Brisbane.
Pearce rebounded immediately from last week’s quiet game, kicking the only two goals of the opening term.
The Demons should have been further ahead, but the outstanding Lions’ defence kept the game tight and Melbourne nearly paid in the end for poor goalkicking.
Frederick-Traub kicked Brisbane’s opening goal midway through the second term – the only goal of the quarter.
When Frederick-Traub kicked her second goal nine minutes into the third term, the Lions were only six points down.
Cunningham took a well-judged mark in the goalsquare and goaled late in the quarter and the Demons took a 14-point lead into the last quarter.
But moments after Cunningham’s goal, she and Hildebrand showed great courage by going for a high mark.
They clashed heads in the collision but, after a few minutes, were able to walk off the ground with the help of trainers.