Essendon has bounced back from a horror outing against Richmond last week with a gutsy 22-point win over Brisbane at the 'Gabba.
Led by three goals and 22 disposals from Jake Stringer and 29 disposals from Zach Merrett, the Bombers were buoyed by a number of their senior players coming back to their best form.
For the Lions, Harris Andrews was dominant all day in the back half, taking 12 marks and thwarting a number of Essendon’s attacking movements.
It was a hot start up at the 'Gabba as both teams looked to rectify their poor performances from last week with a much-needed win.
The run and excitement of the Lions was evident early, with some slick ball movement resulted in a nice mark and goal to Eric Hipwood to get Brisbane underway.
It wouldn’t take long for Essendon to respond however, with captain Dyson Heppell converting from distance to get his side on the board.
Shaun McKernan would quickly get his name on the scoresheet to give the Bombers the lead as the likes of Jake Stringer, Devon Smith, Zach Merrett and Heppell began to get on top through the middle of the ground.
A goal against the run of play to Stefan Martin would bring the Lions back on level terms, as Essendon weren’t able to make the best of their opportunities going forward.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Stringer would finally put Essendon’s dominance on the scoreboard after a flurry of Brisbane behinds, extending their margin to eight points at the first change after an scintillating quarter of football.
Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko started the second term with a bang through one of his trademark forward 50 stoppage goals.
It wouldn’t amount to much for his side however, as the Bombers again got on top around the contest and piled pressure on the young Lions side with the next three majors.
Heppell would put through his second goal to extend the margin back out to nine points, as the Bombers captain put on a clinic in the early stages with a rapid-fire nine touches.
Minutes after putting through his classy goal, a big hit from Luke Hodge would prematurely end Heppell’s afternoon and increase the responsibility on Essendon’s senior players.
Mitch Brown would reap the rewards of his move to the forward line with his first goal, as the Bombers extended their lead into double figures.
Some inaccuracy from the Lions would frustrate the coaching staff, as Essendon’s defence stood tall to a brief period of Brisbane dominance.
A late goal by Josh Green would break the hearts of the Lions going into half-time, as the Bombers skipped away to a healthy 21-point lead at the main change.
Essendon would come out after the break looking for blood as they continued their dominance around the stoppages, yet poor skill errors from both sides marred the term.
Stringer would continue his good form with a second goal early in the quarter, as the Lions looked in danger of being blown away.
It would take a solid mark and conversion by Daniel McStay to keep the Lions in touch, as they again managed to get their ball movement back up and going, albeit slowly.
Both sides fell victim of missed opportunities as the crowd at the 'Gabba were perched firmly on the edge of their seats, with the game having the potential to swing either way.
A piece of Hipwood brilliance would finally break the drought, as the Lions looked to be on the march going into the final term.
More vital misses towards the end of the quarter by both teams would leave the game excellently poised, with Essendon holding a 20-point lead at three-quarter time.
With all the momentum, the Lions pushed hard at the beginning of the last quarter as it looked like the Bombers simply could not keep up with the Brisbane young guns.
An inspiring tackle inside 50 by Jarrod Berry would result in the first goal of the quarter, as the lead shrunk to just 14 points and the Lions began to sniff a chance at securing their second win.
With the game on a knife-edge, McStay would take a strong mark close to goal to bring the Lions within 10 points.
But the young key forward would fluff his lines, gifting the Bombers a crucial life as they would proceed to go coast-to-coast before Brown rolled through an excellent finish to complete a 12-point play.
An opportunistic McDonald-Tipungwuti would again put the margin beyond 20 points as it seemed the Bombers were on the way to their fifth win of the season.
Big Oscar McInerney would again instil hope in the Lions team with just ten minutes to go, yet a class finish by youngster Matt Guelfi and a controversial goal to Stringer would close the door on the gallant Lions as Essendon came away with a critical 22-point win at the 'Gabba.
Both Brisbane and Essendon will look to rest and recuperate over the next week with the bye next weekend as they gear up for major improvement over the second half of the season.
BRISBANE 2.4 3.7 5.9 8.14 (62)
ESSENDON 4.0 7.4 8.11 12.12 (84)
GOALS
Brisbane: Hipwood 2, Zorko 2, McStay, Martin, Berry, McInerney
Essendon: Stringer 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Heppell 2, Brown 2, Green, Guelfi, McKernan
BEST
Brisbane: Andrews, Rich, Gardiner, Witherden, Martin, Zorko
Essendon: Merrett, Stringer, McGrath, Myers, Smith, Saad
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Essendon: Heppell (concussion), Smith (calf)
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