AFL world in raptures as 'game of the season' sets internet ablaze

The Melbourne Demons have set the internet alight after completing an extraordinary comeback victory against Brisbane to extend the Lions' long AFL hoodoo at the MCG. Brisbane looked set to record their first home and away victory at the famous ground since 2014, until the Demons staged a stirring fightback from 27 points down in the final quarter to seal an improbable win.

Jake Melksham nailed a set shot with 30 seconds remaining to seal the 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104) triumph that fans have described as the 'game of the season'. The Demons stormed home with the final four goals of the match in an extraordinary late surge that left the Lions stunned. Melksham marked about 40 metres out on a slight angle with a minute to go, calmly going back and popping his shot over the line.

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"I'm rapt that I put it through because I kicked three out on the full in the first quarter so it was good payback," Melksham told the Seven Network. Brisbane had one final chance to win the remarkable contest after booting the ball into their forward-50 in the dying seconds, but the match ended in controversy after Eric Hipwood thought he had marked 50m out.

However, the umpires decided Jake Lever had some of the ball, denying Brisbane one final bite at the cherry as Melbourne's absorbing comeback victory was completed. “What just happened,” Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon asked on full time. “Melbourne has executed one of the great escapes. It’s just heartbreak for Lions fans everywhere.”

AFL world reacts to incredible drama

Demons close gap on Lions after thrilling win

Melbourne's win sees them move just a game behind the third-placed Lions in a crucial result for both teams' premiership prospects. Coming into Friday night's match with 12 straight regular-season losses at the grand final venue dating back to 2015, the shell-shocked Lions conceded the first four goals of the game in the opening five minutes.

After surviving the early carnage, led by Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca, the Lions found their groove and began to dominate the second and third terms by booting 12.4 to 6.2. Leading by 22 points at the final change, Brisbane looked to be home, but the Demons made an unlikely late run as the Lions' midfield dominance stopped.

Chris Fagan has constantly bristled at questions about why his team struggles at the MCG, with the Lions having won at the iconic ground just once in their past 15 visits. "It's hard to cop because we did a lot right, but at the end of the day I'd say we didn't deserve to win, necessarily," Fagan said.

"We'll take learnings from it and we'll go and have a look at the last five minutes and how we handled that. Melbourne are a good footy side and when you play them here, you've got to do a lot of things right to win."

Petracca starred for the Dees with his second four-goal haul in as many weeks, creating problems for the Lions' defence in a more unpredictable Melbourne forward-half. "It just shows the character and fight of our footy team; for large parts of that game, especially through the second and third quarter, you could well and truly tell that Brisbane were on top," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"For our guys just to stay present, stay in the now and then to adjust and work their way back - with seven minutes to go we're still 24 points down - to get a win, it's incredible."

with AAP

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