It's hard to believe less than two weeks after punting their coach, the Lions are still an outside chance of playing finals, but they're just that after beating the Dogs and jumping to 10th. If Essendon loses its premiership points - and that's still an 'if' – ninth becomes eighth and the Lions are suddenly right in the mix. They have to climb the Mt Everest of the AFL – defeating Geelong at Simonds Stadium – next Saturday and hope Port Adelaide beat Carlton. But that's a chance the Lions would take after a tumultuous season.
2. Merrett joins the injured brigade
Lions swingman Daniel Merrett looks like joining a growing list of teammates on the sidelines after possibly fracturing his ankle. In what looked an innocuous tackle from Jordan Roughead to open the third quarter, Merrett came up grimacing after his leg went under him. He was stretchered off and taken to hospital for scans. The Lions are already missing veterans Jonathan Brown (foot) and Brent Moloney (hamstring), while champion on-baller Simon Black is battling a groin injury to return for round 23. They could ill-afford to lose their red-headed target man.
3. Bulldogs' bite is to be admired
After arguably their worst half of the season to open the match, the Bulldogs showed the steel they have become renowned for under Brendan McCartney. Trailing by 57 points late in the second term, on the road and with no prospect of playing finals, it would have been easy to roll over. But not these Dogs. Led by revivals from Ryan Griffen, who shook Andrew Raines' tight tag, and Luke Dahlhaus, who sparked to life in the third quarter, the Bulldogs looked winners when they got within five points during the last. The comeback took its toll and a late goal to Raines sealed the win, but nothing can be taken from the Bulldogs' efforts.
4. Leuey and Big Will slug out a draw
Bulldog Will Minson has rightfully been installed in most experts' eyes as the No.1 fancy to take the ruck job in the All Australian team. But Matthew Leuenberger has quietly gone about having a terrific season of his own and the two slugged out a gripping battle on Sunday. Leuenberger was arguably best afield in the first half with two goals and some sublime tap-work (one that led directly to a Daniel Rich goal). But Minson fought back in the second half, bullying his trimmer opponent, kicking a goal of his own and proving the catalyst for a rampant midfield. Two different styles of games, but the pair showed why they are two of – if not the – best in the competition.
5. Numbers don't tell us everything
The Bulldogs had more scoring shots (28-25), more inside 50s (63-49), more clearances (50-34) and more contested possessions (149-129), but lost the game. The Lions' remarkably accurate first-half kicking (13.2) probably proved the difference in the end, but not for a lack of effort from the Dogs. Tom Liberatore had an incredible 14 clearances as the Dogs got on top in the middle.
