Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions Tips - Dees out to make amends but Lions hold the aces
- Brisbane’s polish give them the edge in what should be another close MCG battle.
- Melbourne should respond strongly, with Kozzie Pickett in rare form and a major threat again.
- Oscar Allen is the key scoring angle after back-to-back bags of three goals.
- Best play is Brisbane 1-39, with Allen 2+ and Pickett 2+ both strong props.
Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions Preview
- Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions Preview
- Head to Head
- Melbourne Demons Form Analysis
- Melbourne Demons Team News
- Brisbane Lions Form Analysis
- Brisbane Lions Team News
The stage is set for a bit of a belter at the MCG in AFL Round 6 with Melbourne out to prove they can match it with the big boys, Brisbane.
Both sides sit at 3-2 heading into this one, but the lens on the match is slightly different for each club. Melbourne have undergone a reset under their new coach, Steven King, and early results were extremely positive for the 2021 premiers with three wins from their first four matches.
But they slipped up last weekend with a 45-point loss to Essendon, becoming the first side to lose to the Bombers in 17 matches. Expect a response from the Demons, who were a bit flat footed and lethargic with missed tackles and a bit of a disconnect behind the ball.
But the challenge is a tough one, up against the back-to-back premiers, who have been warming up after a slow start to their campaign to go on a three-peat. North Melbourne bought the heat to the Lions last weekend but the premiers were too polished and controlled territory.
Expect them to provide enough supply to their range of forwards, including Oscar Allen, Logan Morris and Charlie Cameron.
Kozzie Pickett will have a say on proceedings in the Round 6 clash and comes into this in some rare form for the Demons. They should compete hard for most of the afternoon, but Brisbane’s ability to keep generating chances gives them the edge in what should be another close one between the two sides. Take Allen for multiple goals for the Lions, while Pickett is set to continue his strong run for the home side.
- Brisbane have won seven of their past eight matches at the MCG.
- The past six matches between the two sides have been decided by an average margin of just 10.5 points.
- Oscar Allen has kicked three goals in each of his past two matches.
- Kozzie Pickett has kicked 23 goals in his past nine matches against Brisbane.
Head to Head
Melbourne were 11-point winners the last time the two sides met, with that coming at the GABBA in Round 10 last season. Jake Melksham booted four goals in that match, while Will Ashcroft and Lachie Neale both had 30 disposals for the Lions.
Kozzie Pickett has kicked 23 goals from his past nine matches against Brisbane, while Josh Dunkley has had 25+ disposals in each of his past three against Melbourne.
Melbourne Demons Form Analysis
Melbourne sit 3-2 and enjoyed a mini resurgence built on a bit of a reset by their new coach Steven King, but that all came unstuck with a shock 45-point loss to Essendon in Gather Round.
They struggled to retain possession against the Bombers and registered just 10.8, well down on their previous output in 2025.
In the 45-point loss, Kozzie Pickett enjoyed another big day with 28 disposals and two goals, while Jack Steele (28 disposals) and Max Gawn (22 and 34 hitouts) were other major contributors.
Pickett is in rare form and has had 25+ disposals in his past three matches, while Gawn has had 20+ disposals in every match this season.
Melbourne Demons Team News
Christian Salem pulled up with an ankle concern from the Bombers match and will be assessed during the week. He joins Changkuoth Jiath, Todd Viney and Jake Bowey on the sidelines. Max Heath, Bailey Laurie and Jack Henderson were the emergencies last week and will be considered.
Brisbane Lions Form Analysis
After a slow and injury-affected start to the season that saw them lose their first two matches, the Lions have bounced back with key players returning, claiming three straight victories, with those coming against St Kilda and Collingwood, before the 26-point victory over North Melbourne in Gather Round.
They had a bit too much polish for the Kangaroos and controlled territory, leading to 58 inside 50s to 44. Oscar Allen converted up forward with his second bag of three goals in as many weeks, while Lachie Neale picked up 30 disposals.
Neale is averaging 29 disposals this season. Will Ashcroft had a relatively quiet day for his standard with 19 disposals but has had 30+ in four of his past six matches, which include his Norm Smith Medal-winning effort in the 2025 Grand Final. The Lions return to the scene of that triumph and have won seven of their past eight at the home of footy.
Brisbane Lions Team News
Dayne Zorko is set to miss with a calf injury. Noah Answerth is in the frame to return from concussion, while Sam Marshall and Will McLachlan are among those with solid form in the Lions VFL side.
Verdict
Brisbane in the 1-39 point range with Oscar Allen a standout. Kozzie Pickett a standout again for Melbourne
Brisbane Lions 1-39
Margin
@11/10 - 1 Unit
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Kozzie Pickett 2+
Anytime Goalscorers
@3/4 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Oscar Allen 3+
Anytime Goalscorers
@21/20 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 March 2026
- LEC 2026 Spring -
- Esports
04 April 2026
23 May 2026
- LPL 2026 Split 2 Playoffs -
- Esports
- LEC 2026 Spring Playoffs -
- Esports
- LCS 2026 Spring Playoffs -
- Esports
Load More
Melbourne Demons v Brisbane Lions
Today's Acca Tips
-
Soccer tips
-
Horse Racing tips
-
Tennis tips
