The script for Saturday night’s encounter between the reigning premiers and the too-often-unlucky Bulldogs was easy to read. However, the outcome defied the scenario.
I predicted the Bulldogs would push the Lions hard for three quarters before the class of the reigning premiers would see them pull away in the final act to score a comfortable win.
In fact, it proved to be the reverse in the final quarter when the Sons of the West came back from a near exit stage left to pip the 2025 premiers by five points in what could well be one of the games of the season.
Brisbane selected a near full strength side, adding former West Coast captain Oscar Allen and a debutant, Zane Zakostelsky, to their cast. The Western Bulldogs were also close to full strength with newcomers Connor Budarick (from the Suns), Lachie Jaques and Michael Sellwood getting an early season taste.
The Sherrin zipped around, and up and down, the fast Gabba track all night. It was a delight for footy starved fans to watch the skills on display. High scoring was the feature of the Opening Round matches played in the northern states, a fact that will please the AFL. All of the winners in matches north of Victoria scored over 100 points.
At one end Charlie Cameron lit up the crowd with four goals, and Logan Morris chimed in with three. At the other, Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli and Aaron Naughton were slotting them through with seamless ease. The talls got in on the act also, none better than Tim English with two goals, including the final goal of the night. Sam Darcy contributed a handy two also.
The whips were still cracking in the final term. The intensity increased with five lead changes which had the fans on the edge of their seats. But it was the visitors who scored the telling blows in the last with seven goals to the wasteful Lions three goals seven behinds. The feature of the quarter was the fast transition by the Bulldogs into an open forward line. Is that the recipe to stop the Brisbane interceptors and spoilers– Harris Andrews and co?
When the final curtain fell, the Dogs were deservedly ecstatic. The Lions won’t despair, but they now have a few annoying self-inflicted headaches. With four premiership players (McCluggage, Bailey, Andrews, Gardiner) out of their line up for the trip to the SCG in Round 1, they could easily start the season zip and 2. The speedy Swans lie in wait for their prey.
The Bulldogs’ next outing is a matinee affair at Marvel where they meet the other unexpected winners from the OR – the GWS Giants.
BRISBANE 3.1 6.7 12.9 15.16 (106)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.7 5.10 9.14 16.15 (111)
GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Morris 3, Lohmann 2, Zorko, Zakostelsky, Bailey, Allen, Fort, Rayner
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Darcy 2, Richards 2, Naughton 2, English 2, Williams, West, Davidson, Budarick, Bramble
BEST
Brisbane: Cameron, Andrews, Reville, Lester, Neale, Zorko
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bontempelli, Lobb, Liberatore, Budarick, Williams
INJURIES
Brisbane: McCluggage (calf)
Western Bulldogs: Jones (concussion)
Crowd: 31,606 at the Gabba
Malarkey Votes
3 – Ed Richards (WB)
2 – Charlie Cameron (BL)
1 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
Read more from Peter Clark HERE
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About Peter Clark
is a lifelong Geelong supporter. Hailing from the Riverina, he is now entrenched on the NSW South Coast. His passion for footy was ignited by attending Ovens and Murray League matches in the 1960's with his father. After years of watching, playing and coaching, now it is time for some serious writing about his favourite subjects… footy, especially country footy, and cricket.
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