The Brisbane Lions' hopes of finishing in the top four could be over after losing to bottom side Melbourne by one point on a day of controversial umpiring decisions at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons won only their second game of the season in a thrilling finish 14.9 (93) to 13.14 (92) but this will be a game that will be debated for some time to come.
Both sides were the victims of a series of baffling umpiring decisions, including a crucial scoring decision which went against the Lions and in the end proved costly.
Early in the third quarter a shot for goal by Daniel Bradshaw from a tight angle near the boundary line looked to have gone through for a clear behind - only to be ruled out on the full.
And given the final margin was just one point - that mistake could well have cost the Lions a draw.
But defeat would have been tough on the Demons, who were the better side all day and were also on the receiving end of some controversial umpiring decisions in the second term which enabled the Lions to get back into the game after Melbourne had opened up an early four goal lead.
If that was not enough, the Lions also have themselves to blame after gifting the Demons two scoring shots through their own bungling.
First the Lions conceded a free kick and a 50 metre penalty to Paul Wheatley for breaching the new interchange rules when Luke Power ran onto the ground seconds before the man he was replacing Simon Black left the field.
Then the Demons were given another 50 metre penalty in the final term when the Lions' physio ran across the mark, resulting in a behind to Lynden Dunn.
While both Dunn and Wheatley only scored behinds as a result of the infringements, again those mistakes by the Lions proved crucial in such a tight match - which could have massive ramifications for the Lions come the end of the season.
The heroes for Melbourne was their new look key forward pairing of Brad Miller and Colin Sylvia, who kicked eight goals between them to all but match the efforts of Brisbane's star pair Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw at the other end.
Bradshaw and Brown kicked nine goals between them but were well held by the Demons' young pair of Colin Garland and Matthew Warnock respectively until cutting loose in the final term with five goals between them.
But it was Miller - who had set up the Demons' early lead with three first term goals - who was to have the last say when his towering mark and goal in the goalsquare at the 33 minute mark of the final term - and with just over a minute remaining - gave the Demons a thoroughly deserved victory on a day when the officiating is certain to come under strong scrutiny.
MELBOURNE: 5.4, 6.6, 9.8. 14.9 (93)
BRISBANE LIONS: 2.3, 5.9, 7.12, 13.14 (92)
GOALS: Melbourne: Sylvia 4, Miller 4, Wonaeamirri 2, Bruce 2, Bate, Green
Brisbane: Brown 5, Bradshaw 4 Hooper 2, Patfull, Rischitelli
BEST: Melbourne: Miller, C Johnson, Sylvia, Green, Wheatley, Jones, Garland
Brisbane: Power, Brown, Rischitelli, Black, Hooper, McGrath
INJURIES: Melbourne: McLean (ankle)
Brisbane: Nil
UMPIRES: Head, Armstrong, Jeffery
REPORTS:
CHANGES: Brisbane: Johnstone (hamstring) replaced by Polkinghorne
CROWD: 23,278 at MCG
Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3: Brad Miller (Melbourne)
2. Luke Power (Brisbane)
1: Chris Johnson (Melbourne)