THE BRISBANE Lions have ripped themselves off the bottom of the ladder and left the Western Bulldogs searching for a spark, prevailing by eight points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Producing the best football they have played under new coach Justin Leppitsch, the Lions played an exhilarating, hard-running brand to notch their second straight win - 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87).
The Bulldogs, who have only beaten Melbourne in their past seven matches, mounted a late challenge but it was left too late as they slumped to 3-8 for the season.
The Lions made their move in the second quarter, kicking seven goals to two and opening up a 28-point lead, winning the contested ball and running the Bulldogs off their feet under the roof.
Wingman Rohan Bewick was superb for the Lions, finishing with a career-high 30 possessions and five clearances after spending a month in the NEAFL.
He was at the forefront of the Lions' second-quarter assault, winning 11 possessions for the term and swooping on a loose ball deep in attack to kick the goal that launched their run.
Dayne Zorko (19 possessions) was also instrumental for the visitors, bursting from congestion and setting up teammates with his creativity.
Perhaps most pleasing for the Lions, ruckman Stefan Martin stepped in to play just his second game since round four, 2013, taking the points against All Australian opponent Will Minson.
With big men Mathew Leuenberger and Trent West sidelined with long-term knee injuries, Martin's ability to register 32 hit-outs and six clearances was a great sign.
He was another at his best during the second term as the Lions dominated uncontested possession (58-33) and inside 50s (17-7) to snatch control of the game.
"You get a good feeling from winning, don't you?” Leppitsch said after the match, with the Lions preparing to host Greater Western Sydney as favourites next Saturday night.
"Lucky the game didn't go much longer [because] we were starting to fall away a bit in the end … but the boys hung on, so it was good."
The momentum switched in an instant on Saturday night after the Bulldogs had the game mostly on their terms in the opening quarter, using the ball better and tackling ferociously.
Brendan McCartney's men will rue their second term, with the home team right in the match for the other three quarters.
"There were periods in the game tonight where all areas of our game weren't up to scratch," McCartney said.
"Because of that as a football club we've missed a great opportunity to take another step forward.
"We end up with another loss under 10 points that we deserved because of how we played."
Tom Liberatore, who averages 28 possessions against the Lions, was quieter than usual with 22 possessions, while captain Ryan Griffen (21) was well-held by Jack Redden.
Youngster Jack Macrae (35 possessions and six inside 50s) was clearly the Bulldogs' best performer, continuing a fine season.
A strong contested ball team, the Dogs were beaten both on the outside and the inside, losing the contested ball (141-147) and clearances (34-45).
Forward Jarrad Grant returned from a foot fracture and played his first game for the season, kicking one goal but winning just seven possessions.
Former skipper Matthew Boyd (hamstring tightness) could return next week to boost the team as it searches for some bite against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
Marcus Bontempelli tries to escape the grasp of Mitch Golby on Saturday night. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.3 7.5 9.5 13.9 (87)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.3 11.8 13.9 14.11 (95)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Hrovat 2, Williams 2, Giansiracusa 2, Griffen, Tutt, Picken, Wood, Crameri, Grant, Cooney
Brisbane Lions: Redden 2, Brown 2, Green 2, Beams, Patfull, Aish, Bewick, Zorko, Rockliff, Paparone, Hanley
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Wallis, Liberatore, Dahlhaus, Cooney
Brisbane Lions: Bewick, Martin, Zorko, Hanley, Redden, Martin, Patfull, Taylor
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Higgins (ribs)
Brisbane Lions: Taylor (left calf)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Daniel Giansiracusa replaced Christian Howard in the third quarter.
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Marco Paparone in the last quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Rosebury, O'Gorman
Official crowd: 18,054 at Etihad Stadium.
