The Footscray Bulldogs were defeated by the Brisbane Lions in a thriller at Marvel Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

The Bulldogs welcomed the visitors by kicking off round 2 of the VFL season with seven goals in the opening quarter, and held the lead until the final term - when the Lions ran away 13.7 (85) to 14.9 (93) victors. 

A magnificent mark from AFL-listed player Sam Darcy in the forward line put the Dogs’ on the scoreboard early in the game.

In the second term, the Lions began to pick up momentum but were quickly overrun by a brilliant goal from Joel Garner with a 50-metre set-shot.

The Dogs fired up as Ewan Macpherson kicked his first to bring the red, white and blue back into the game.

02:03

VFL RD2 | Match Highlights

Watch some of the best moments from Footscray's round two match against Brisbane.

It seemed the soccer game played at Marvel two nights prior left something in the air, as Rhylee West soccered his second goal off the ground, and then again kicking his third goal to give the Bulldogs a 26-point lead heading into half-time.  

It was a big final half ahead, and the Dogs and Lions delivered an absolute thriller.

After the fiery start, it was quiet on the Bulldogs’ scoreboard - with Khamis kicking his second goal, followed by Lachie McNeil slotting his first goal to become the seventh individual goal-scorer for the afternoon.

The AFL-listed duo were Footscray’s only goal-scorers in the second half, as the Lions crept up from behind to claim the victory by eight points.

The Dogs’ opening goal-kicker, Sam Darcy, was an overall highlight - kicking three goals from 18 touches and six marks.

The tall forward also recorded ten hit-outs and four clearances to wrap up a big night. 

The AFL talent continued with Rhylee West nailing three goals from 17 disposals, and Mitch Hannan reminded us of his abilities kicking two goals and 15 disposals.

00:59

Jedd Busslinger | 'It's a massive honour to finally put on the jumper'

Jedd chats about his first game in the red, white and blue.

Jordon Sweet led the stat sheet with a game-high of 52 hit outs.

The Bulldogs’ top selection from last year’s draft class, Jedd Busslinger, took to the field for the first time in nine months, landing five marks and 13 disposals. 

Caleb Poulter’s second game in the red, white and blue saw him deliver 22 disposals, while the captain, Lachie Sullivan, had an impressive performance with 12 tackles and 25 touches.

The Bulldogs are on to face Richmond next Saturday 8 April at 1:05pm at the Swinburne Centre.

 

FOOTSCRAY   7.0    11.4    12.7    13.7   (85)

BRISBANE        2.1    7.2    9.6    14.9   (93)

Goals: West 3, Darcy 3, Khamis 2, Hannan 2, McNeil 1, Macpherson 1, Garner 1