The Brisbane Lions are reeling after a heavy loss to Melbourne on Thursday night, with coach Chris Fagan admitting that the 64-point defeat was one of the worst matches the Lions had played in a "long, long time".

The Lions went into the match without Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey, while the Demons regained Steven May, but seemed no match for the reigning premiers trying to break a three-match losing streak.

Melbourne kicked 16.21 during the match, something that Fagan conceded made the scoreline look far better than it could have been.

"We should have lost the game by a lot more than we did tonight. We're lucky they didn't kick straight," Fagan said post-match.

"That's as bad as we've played in a long, long time. That takes me back to the first couple of years [when I was coaching].

"The last three or four years our losses haven't been like that so it was a disappointing night for us but credit to Melbourne for the way they played. They were on song and they deserved to win like they did."

Brisbane went into the highly anticipated clash sitting in first spot on the ladder, and without a win on the MCG since 2014. Despite gaining an early lead, the Lions were no where to be seen in the second half as the Dees ran rampant.

"It feels like it's out of character for us. It's not what you usually get from us. Prior to tonight we'd lost three games but by small margins and games we could have potentially won," Fagan said.

"Tonight, outside of the first quarter, we weren't in the hunt so it's terribly disappointing but it's not the end of the world. We get to play again next week and get the opportunity of redemption and that's what you have to do in this competition."

The Lions loss was worsened by some injury concerns to Jarryd Lyons and Harris Andrews.

Lyons is set to undergo scans after being subbed from the game after a heavy knock in the second term, while Andrews required treatment to his shoulder on the bench after a tackle.

"He got a knock in the ribs. I think it's maybe rib cartilage, they don’t think it's a broken bone. Obviously he'll have some scans and we'll see how he goes," Fagan said on Lyons.

Brisbane travel back home to face the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Friday night in Round 16, while the now top of the table Demons will head to Adelaide to take on the Crows on Saturday afternoon.