Melbourne's midfield maestro Clayton Oliver has orchestrated a 33-point victory over an off-key Brisbane in their AFL qualifying final.
Oliver collected 33 disposals and Bailey Fritsch kicked four goals in the Demons' 13.15 (93) to 9.6 (60) win at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Melbourne, seeking to end the competition's longest premiership drought - 57 years - secure a preliminary final after a weekend off.
But the Lions enter cut-throat mode with a semi-final, likely in Perth, against the winner of Sunday's elimination final between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.
And they'll be without unsung forward Daniel McStay, who was substituted out with concussion and a facial injury after copping a stray knee from teammate Nakia Cockatoo.
Melbourne's Rising Star winner Luke Jackson had some front teeth knocked out - also from an accidental knee - but the Demons appeared to emerge otherwise unscathed from their compelling win.
On-baller Oliver was a standout: one goal, 10 score involvements, 18 contested possessions, seven clearances.
And his teammates Christian Petracca (30 touches, two goals), Jack Viney (28 touches) and Alex Neal-Bullen (27 possessions) overwhelmed a Brisbane midfield overly reliant on Lachie Neale (46 possessions, 13 clearances).
Melbourne defence, led by Jake Lever, controlled all but Brisbane spark Charlie Cameron, who potted five goals in a losing side.
And the Demons' attack flowed with small forwards Fritsch (four goals), Kysaiah Pickett (two goals) and ever-threatening tall target Ben Brown grabbing nine marks and kicking a goal.
Brisbane's tireless Neale led all ball-winners while his veteran teammate Daniel Rich (26 disposals, 13 rebound 50s) was superb at halfback.
But the Lions' attack was a one-man show - as spectacular as Cameron was, he lacked support with key forward Joe Daniher held goal-less.
Melbourne weathered a Cameron cameo in the first quarter, taking a 5.4 to 4.2 quarter-time lead despite three goals from the Lion livewire.
The Demons then seized control with a pressure-packed second term, the elusive Fritsch booting two of four Melbourne goals for the quarter.
Brisbane's sole goal was gifted by a Lever brainfade on the mark, handing Jarrod Berry a 50-metre penalty and goal.
The Demons took a 30-point halftime lead, 9.10 to 5.4, with Petracca and Oliver sharing 34 disposals, nine inside 50s and seven clearances for the half.
Scoring dried in the third term, with 15 goal-less minutes ended by Brisbane's Cameron, who again swooped on a loose ball to convert a snap shot.
Cameron's strike was soon followed by an accurate set-shot from teammate Hugh McCluggage and the Lions were within 17 points.
But they never got any closer: Melbourne were 19 up at three quarter-time, Fritsch soon added two more goals, and Petracca iced the victory with two late majors.
