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Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL Round 6 Tips - Lions make it 4 in a row

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Fri 17 Apr 2026 09:17

Jeremy Darke 17 Apr 2026

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The game will be played at MCG on Sunday, 19th April, with the bounce at 3:15 PM (AEST)
Brisbane Lions predicted to win against Melbourne Demons by 1-39 margin.
Oscar Allen predicted to score 2+ goals; Hugh McCluggage expected 25+ disposals.
Match expected to remain under 189.5 total points.

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL Round 6 Tips

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions, Round 6 2026 - Expert Prediction

The Lions will have too much depth and class for the Demons getting up in Melbourne by a 1-39 margin.

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions, Round 6 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Melbourne Demons Form Analysis
Brisbane Lions Form Analysis
Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions Team List & News
Melbourne Demons Team News
Brisbane Lions Team News
Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6 FAQ’s

Don’t get me wrong, I do expect a rebound performance from Melbourne after their disappointing loss to the Bombers last weekend, however, Brisbane’s ability to control the stoppages and take their chances inside 50 will be the difference and they will eventually overpower a spirited Demons team.

After a rusty premiership hangover of 0-2 the Lions have put in three very Brisbane-like performances, outgunning the Saints, strangling the Pies and now outlasting the Kangaroos. Chris Fagan has his troops where he wants them now and we will likely see Brisbane get back to business and go on a long run, continuing with their fourth in a row when they get past Melbourne on Sunday afternoon at ‘The G’.

Brisbane are still managing injuries with Dayne Zorko the latest loss, but we should see Hugh McCluggage get back to full gametime this week which is why it is a good time to jump on the Brisbane midfielder for 25+ disposals with the market a little slow to react after he played just 56% of the match against the Kangaroos and still had 20 touches.

Another Lion powering at the moment is Oscar Allen, who has certainly found his place in the Brisbane line up, the former West Coast captain has kicked 8 goals in his last three matches for his new club and is backed in for another multi-goal against Melbourne on Sunday.

I do expect Melbourne to stay in this one for a while, however, Brisbane will have enough to limit the Demon’s forward movement which will also keep this match under the game total of 189.5.

Brisbane’s last 6 victories over Melbourne have been by a 1-39 margin.
11 of the last 12 matches between Brisbane and Melbourne have had a game total under 189.5 points.
Oscar Allen 2+ goals in each of his last 3 matches.
Hugh McCluggage averaged 27.1 disposals in 2026.

Head to Head Stats

Melbourne got the better of Brisbane last season 99-88 in Round 10 with Brisbane self-destructing in the fourth quarter, handing over what was a 15-point lead to the Demons.

Brisbane have won 4 of the last 6 against Melbourne.

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis

The Demons stunned Premiership favourites the Gold Coast Suns 109-89 in Round 4 but couldn’t back up that performance at Gather Round falling apart against the Essendon Bombers who snapped their 17-game losing streak to continue Melbourne’s woes at Gather Round against the Bombers with an 0-3 record.

The fast flowing and creative football that we have seen from Melbourne that had them 3-1 in the opening month of footy under Steven Kings was simply not there as the small adjustments by opposing coach Brad Scott stunned the Demons. A 1.3 to 6.1 third quarter saw the match fly out of the grasp of the Demons in what was a real disappointing performance.

The possession game was the real difference with the Bombers having 99 more uncontested possessions while also leading the contested possessions by 28. Jack Steele and Kysaiah Picket had 28 disposals but their wasn’t enough control for Melbourne.

Brisbane Lions Form Analysis

The Lions took care of North Melbourne at Gather Round getting up over the Kangaroos 13.14 (92) to 9.12 (66) although it was a tough battle for the premiers after their lead was cut by 13 points on either side of the final break, however, the Lions were composed and kicked the final 3 goals of the match.

Oscar Allen is certainly finding his place in Brisbane with another 3 goal performance, bringing his tally to 10 for the season, while Lachie Neale also has appeared to shrug off the off-field drama with 30 touches.

Brisbane are just well ahead of the pack at the stoppages leading the AFL with 43 total clearances per game and a league best 80.6 1st possession to clearance rate. The Lions are also top seven in inside 50s per game and are converting 49.5% of their entries into scoring shots.

Brisbane still strong Premiership favourites.

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions Team List & News

Melbourne Demons Team News

Christian Salem and Jake Melksham are out injured, with a raft of additions to the squad.

Brisbane Lions Team News

Noah Answerth replaces injured Dayne Zorko, while four players are added to the extended bench.

Melbourne	POS	Brisbane Lions
D. Turner, J. Lever, B. Howes	B	K. Coleman, H. Andrews, R. Lester
T. Sparrow, H. Petty, X. Lindsay	HB	D. Wilmot, J. Fletcher, N. Answerth
K. Tholstrup, J. Steele, J. Culley	C	B. Reville, W. Ashcroft, J. Berry
K. Chandler, J. van Rooyen, H. Sharp	HF	C. Cameron, O. Allen, L. Ashcroft
B. Fritsch, B. Mihocek, K. Pickett	F	S. Draper, C. Rayner, T. Gallop
M. Gawn, H. Langford, E. Langdon	FOLL	D. Fort, J. Dunkley, L. Neale
C. Windsor, B. Laurie, X. Taylor, M. Jefferson, M. Heath, L. Pickett, J. Henderson, L. Kentfield	I/C	K. Lohmann, H. McCluggage, L. McCarthy, L. Morris, Z. Zakostelsky, J. Tunstill, Z. Bailey, S. Brain

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6 FAQ’s

How to watch Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6?

You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6?

To buy tickets to the Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions AFL 2026 Round 6 game check the AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons site.

Verdict

Melbourne Demons v Brisbane Lions

Oscar Allen will kick another 2 goals and Hugh McClugga will have 25+ disposals as Brisbane win with a 1-39 margin over the Demons in a match with less than 189.5 points.

Brisbane Lions

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Oscar Allen

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