2005 Wizard Cup Round 1
Brisbane Lions vs Melbourne
Saturday, 19 February
Venue: Cazaly Oval, Cairns
Attendance: 9486
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Brisbane | 0.0.2 | 0.3.4 | 0.5.6 | 0.7.1.8.53 |
| Melbourne | 1.0.3 | 2.5.5 | 3.9.7 | 3.10.11.98 |
Brisbane received 3 points for a deliberately rushed behind in the fourth quarter.
Melbourne win by 45 points
Goalkickers:
Nine point - Paul Wheatley 2, Cameron Bruce 1
Six point - Cameron Bruce 2, Russell Robertson 4, Brock McLean 2, Adem Yze 2, David Neitz 1
For their first proper match since the death of Troy Broadbridge in the Asian Tsunami, Melbourne were matched up against the losing 2004 Grand Finalists in the unfamiliar surroundings of Cazaly Stadium, Cairns. There had been speculation that Melbourne would play a home game in Cairns while the MCG was unavailable during the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but this was denied by the AFL.
The Lions were without eleven of their senior players, and Melbourne took advantage. The Brisbane defence was one of the only parts of their first choice team on the park, but even the likes of Leppitsch, Johnson and Michael couldn't stop the rampant Demon forwards.
Melbourne held a 31 point lead in the second quarter before Brisbane hit back. Melbourne, though, took a big lead into the second half. The margin gradually extended into the third, before Paul Wheatley kicked his second 9 point supergoal to set up a 52 point lead at the last change.
Asked about playing more games in Cairns, Neale Daniher said "I'm interested to see how the boys come up after this game. I'm interested to see if we can still play with energy next week".
Best were Bizzell, Wheatley, and Whelan
Media
Age - 20/02/2005, 21/02/2005
Links
Demonblog match review