BRISBANE Lions recruit Brett Maloney would have put a big red circle around Sunday's match-up against Melbourne the day the AFL released its draw last year.

The former Demons best-and-fairest winner wasn't wanted at the club under new coach Mark Neeld last season, happy to get another chance with the up-and-coming Lions.

And in his 150th senior game, Maloney showed Neeld what he had given up with a game-high 35 possessions (16 contested), continually finding teammates in better position as the Lions ran out 28 point winners, 17.20 (122) to 14.10 (94).

The 29-year-old had excellent support from fellow midfielders Tom Rockcliff (34) and Jack Redden (24).

Brisbane had six teenagers in the line-up, South Australian youngster Sam Mayes again impressive with 28 possessions.

Melbourne battled hard early, but the workrate fell away in the second half as the home side opened up a 50-point lead before late goals to Colin Sylvia, David Rodan, Cam Pederson and Jeremy Tapscott added a modicum of respectability to the scoreboard.