'A bit exposed': Fagan's big tag call on Dees amid defender's late ...

A revitalised Brisbane brigade and an embattled Melbourne outfit do battle at The Gabba on Friday night to commence Round 16.

The Lions (7-6-1, 122.1%) have won three consecutive games and are looking to make it four as they sniff a re-entrance to the top eight.

Meanwhile, the Demons (8-6, 100.4%) scraped over the line against North Melbourne last Saturday and are also looking to stay within reach of a finals spot.

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Second-year Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft will make his long-awaited injury return on Friday night, having ruptured his ACL in Round 19, 2023 against Geelong.

Irish defender Darragh Joyce also comes in for his first game of the season at the expense of an injured Jack Payne. Shadeau Brain was omitted on Thursday.

Melbourne’s star intercept defender Jake Lever also returns from an injury layoff after recovering from knee surgery in late May, replacing injured defender Christian Salem.

While last Saturday’s debutant Kynan Brown was dropped, another debutant gets his chance on Friday night, with 20-year-old Andy Moniz-Wakefield set to make his first AFL appearance.

Taj Woewodin was also recalled for Simon Goodwin’s side, while fellow youngster Blake Howes was omitted.

Brisbane and Melbourne have played four times at The Gabba since 2013 for two wins apiece.

The Lions — 44-8 at The Gabba since the start of 2020 — are 3-3 at home this season.

The game gets underway at 7:40pm at the Gabba.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 7pm.

MATCH UPDATES

The Dees swung a late change, with father-son Kynan Brown replacing defender Jake Bowey (corked back).

The subs for tonight are Brown (Melbourne) and Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane).

Lions coach Chris Fagan said his side were weighing up whether or not to tag Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver, labelling Melbourne’s undermanned engine room “exposed”.

“We’ll give good consideration to (Jarrod) Berry playing on Oliver, with (Christian) Petracca out of their midfield they are a bit exposed,” Fagan told Fox Footy pre-game.

Last week, Oliver was tagged out of the game by North Melbourne youngster Will Phillips.

The Lions got the opener after Cam Rayner climbed above Dees defender Taj Woewodin, slotting the set shot.

Small forward Charlie Cameron converted brilliantly from the 50m arc as ‘Country Roads’ blasted around the Gabba.

Livewire Dee Kozzy Pickett booted the first for the Dees after Lions captain Harris Andrews was penalised for holding the ball.

There were no easy kicks for the Demons, as the Lions applied plenty of pressure around the contest.

“The pressure from the Lions is fantastic,” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said.

Cameron booted his second in style with a tidy finish from the pocket.

Melbourne midfielder Trent Rivers booted a ripping goal on the run that was ultimately denied after the umpire deemed he’d ran too far.

Melbourne’s inaccuracy continued to plague them, trailing by 14 points at the first change.

“They’d turned the corner in recent weeks Brisbane, but they’re back to their sloppy best in front of goal,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.

“A little bit the same for the Dees, they had some opportunities and didn’t convert... but what we are seeing is a very competitive Melbourne.”

Dees spearhead Jacob Van Rooyen booted the first major of the second term after some crisp ball movement by Simon Goodwin’s troops.

But a botched kick out from the Dees saw Cam Rayner and Eric Hipwood pounce, with the latter extending the margin back out to 15 points.

“That’s just a gift, an absolute gift,” James Brayshaw said in commentary.

Van Rooyen kicked truly for his second of the night shortly after before goals from Pickett and Bayley Fritsch saw the Dees hit the front for the first time tonight.

“They’re getting touched up around the footy,” Matthew Richardson said on Channel 7.

The Dees had upped their pressure and were all over the Lions on their home deck.

“It’s relentless, Brisbane are now starting to get opened up down back,” Richardson said.

Chandler roved beautifully before Pickett booted his third for the match as the Dees jumped out to a 15-point lead.

Oliver made it six Melbourne goals in a row and celebrated accordingly, as the Lions were well and truly on the back foot.

Lions spearhead Joe Daniher clawed one back for his side with a much-needed goal.

“It’s been an onslaught from the Dees,” Richardson said.

Pickett’s remarkable first half continued, snapping truly to make it four for the evening.

The Dees led 9.6 (60) to 5.8 (38) at the main break.

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