The Lions led by a goal at the final change and despite inaccuracy managed a 13.23 (101) to 12.7 (79) victory.
Lions full-forward Brendan Fevola kicked all of his four goals in the third quarter after Bulldogs backman Tom Williams was stretchered off the ground with what appeared to be a neck injury.
Williams was back in the fourth quarter but his temporary absence hurt the previously-composed Bulldogs defence, with Jonathon Brown (two goals) also making his presence felt.
Brown was inaccurate for most of the night but his second goal, to seal the match for the Lions, had the 33,232-strong crowd on their feet.
Luke Power (31 disposals) was busy and Michael Rischitelli (28) and Jared Brennan (25) were classy for the Lions, while Matthew Boyd (27) and Ryan Griffen (26) had most of the ball for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs had been up by as much as 30 in the second quarter, with Brian Lake and Williams holding both Lions forwards well.
Up the other end, Daniel Merritt did his best to test Barry Hall's temper in the first half but Hall responded by kicking four goals before being held goalless in the second.
The Western Bulldogs had taken control in the first half, kicking seven goals in a row before the Lions answered through Albert Proud.
The Lions kicked another goal soon after and looked to threaten before a costly mistake by James Hawksley gifted Hall his fourth goal, just 20 seconds from half time.
Brisbane Lions 2.5 4.11 10.18 13.23 (101)
Western Bulldogs 2.4 9.5 11.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Fevola 4 Banfield 2, Brown 2, Proud, Johnstone, Drummond, Brennan, Sherman
Western Bulldogs: Hall 4, Giansiracusa 3, Addison 2, Boyd, Hill, Higgins
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Brennan, Power, Rischitelli, Proud, Fevola, Drummond, Johnstone.
Western Bulldogs: Hudson, Griffen, Higgins, Lake, Hall, Addison, Cross.
INJURIES
Lions: None
Bulldogs: None
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Findlay
Official crowd: 33,323 at the Gabba
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
