The loss signaled the end of an 11-year stranglehold over the Bombers at the Gabba and continued the Lions' miserable start to the season.
It mirrored previous efforts when the Lions started well only to fall away in the latter stages of the match.
The Lions led by one-point at half-time but the in-form Bombers ran over the home side with nine goals to three in the second half to win 15.12 (102) to 9.12 (66).
The win moved Essendon into third position and stretched the Lions' winless start to the season to seven matches - and just three wins in their past 25 overall.
The Lions jumped out of the gates well with Ashley McGrath kicking the first two goals of the match, but a tidal wave of entries inside forward 50 eventually told against them.
Essendon won the forward 50 entries decisively in each quarter, 20-10 in the first, 19-7 in the second, 20-6 in the third and 16-13 in the fourth for an overall 75-36 advantage.
The Lions played with an open forward line and generated 13 scoring shots from their 17 first-half entries to lead by a point, while conversely the Bombers squandered their chances with five shots at goal going out on the full.
Things turned in the third quarter with two goals apiece to Jobe Watson - who was subbed late in the quarter with ice on his hamstring - and David Zaharakis, setting up a match-winning lead.
Zaharakis swung the match with 20 disposals and four goals in the second half as the Lions appeared to run out of legs against the competition's highest scoring team.
Tom Rockliff (30 posessions), Pearce Hanley (25) and Daniel Rich (23) battled gamely but the Lions were no match for the in-form Bombers.
Bombers midfielder Heath Hocking may come under scrutiny from the match review panel for his first quarter hit on James Pokinghorne, which left the young Lion dazed and unable to return with concussion.
Influential players
Daniel Rich (23 disposals and a match-high nine clearances) was outstanding in the midfield. With their defence under constant pressure Pearce Hanley (25) and Jed Adcock (24) shone coming out of the back 50, while Daniel Merrett's 19 spoils was also a feature.
What it means
The Lions were much improved on their performance against Gold Coast last week, but it still resulted in another loss. Coach Michael Voss will be begging for captain Jonathan Brown to get clearance to play against North Melbourne next week to help break their season duck.
The next four
North Melbourne (Gabba); Adelaide (AAMI Stadium); Sydney Swans (Gabba); Carlton (Etihad Stadium).
Toyota Dream Team highlight
Tom Rockliff showed just why his value has rocketed to $413,200 (up $51,000) this season with a 117-point performance. He was the only Lion to top the ton. Meanwhile, poor James Polkinghorne had a night to forget, not only being concussed in the first quarter, but also scoring -3 Dream Team points.
Talking point
For the second week in a row at the Gabba, the goal umpires have again found themselves embroiled in controversy. Midway through the third term David Hille played on from a mark just 10m out from goal and, despite badly pulling the kick, it went through. The goal umpire signalled a behind and, after a deliberation with the field umpire and boundary umpire that lasted 30 seconds, stuck with his original decision.
Key match-ups
David Hille and Daniel Merrett went toe to toe for the majority of the four quarters deep in Essendon's forward line. James Hird said Hille was the Bombers' only effective target in the first half and the 202cm big man finished with two goals for the match from his 17 disposals and six marks. Merrett displayed enormous strength in the numerous one-on-one battles and finished with 14 disposals and an incredible 19 spoils. The points between the two were shared and both finished in their teams' best players.
Essendon 3.2 6.6 10.10 15.12 (102)
Brisbane Lions 3.5 6.7 6.10 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Essendon: Zaharakis 4, Crameri 3, Monfries 2, Watson 2, Hille 2, Reimers 2
Brisbane Lions: McGrath 2, Bewick, Clark, Stiller, Drummond, Rich, Adcock, Rockliff.
BEST
Essendon: Zaharakis, Hille, Monfries, Hooker, Myers
Brisbane Lions: Adcock, Rich, Merrett, Leuenberger, Hanley
INJURIES
Essendon: Michael Hurley (calf) replaced in selected side by Travis Colyer, Henry Slattery (hip) replaced in selected side by Michael Hibberd, Jobe Watson (hamstring).
Brisbane Lions: James Polkinghorne (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Watson replaced by Colyer late in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Polkinghorne replaced by Harwood at start of the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ritchie, Stevic, Kamolins
Official crowd: 24,921 at the Gabba
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
