The Western Bulldogs have come from 26 points behind to knock off two-time defending AFL premiers Brisbane in a pulsating Opening Round Gabba clash.
Luke Beveridge’s men started well on Saturday night but were swamped in a five-goal burst from Brisbane after halftime that appeared to have the home side on track.
But the Bulldogs found another gear, kicking seven last quarter goals to win 16.15 (111) to 15.16 (106).
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Ed Richards starred with two goals, 30 touches and 16 scoring assists, while Charlie Cameron looked back to his best for Brisbane with four goals and five tackles.
The Lions lost All-Australian midfielder and new co-captain Hugh McCluggage in the first term to a calf injury.
It was the same calf McCluggage corked to force him out of last week’s practice match at halftime.
Harris Andrews will also come under scrutiny following contact with Arthur Jones that forced the Bulldog out of the game with concussion in the third term.
The Bulldogs beat the Lions at their own game, clean out of centre-bounce stoppages and carving through the defence with short-angled kicks.
Tim English puts the Dogs back in front and lets Darcy Fort know about it!#AFLLionsDogs pic.twitter.com/W66lZ1ntXg— AFL (@AFL) March 7, 2026
Inaccuracy was all that stopped the Bulldogs building an early lead, as Cameron’s individual brilliance and efficiency from intercepts helped the Lions to a three-point halftime lead.
Marcus Bontempelli’s second goal put the Bulldogs in front but the Lions responded with five-straight majors, Kai Lohmann and Oscar Allen nabbing two each as Brisbane led 26.
But the Bulldogs replied with five of their own to edge back ahead, with Bailey Williams selling candy to at least three defenders for a brilliant goal before the final break.
Again it was Cameron who stood up, outnumbered but still winning possession and finding Logan Morris at the top of the square.
Sam Davidson snapped the Dogs ahead again before Bontempelli threaded the needle with a set shot for a seven-point lead with eight minutes to play.
Darcy Fort squeaked a goal from a boundary throw-in and Cam Rayner bobbed up, turning swiftly and curling a goal through to put the hosts up by five.
Darcy Gardiner’s late hit on Aaron Naughton prompted a 50-metre penalty that allowed him to kick an easy major from the goal square and tie the scores.
Cameron then missed from in front, his minor score quickly trumped when the Bulldogs again got behind the Lions’ defence and Tim English kicked truly.
Lohmann squeezed a behind with 44 seconds on the clock to make it a five-point game but Brisbane came no closer, the final siren beating Naughton as the Bulldog ran into an open goal.
Lachie Neale had a game-high 39 touches and nine clearances while Matthew Kennedy had 30 touches for the Bulldogs and Rory Lobb had a handful of smart defensive plays in his 200th game.
