Brisbane has put a dent in the Western Bulldogs’ finals aspirations with a tense 10-point triumph at the Gabba on Friday night.

The Lions had to withstand a fourth quarter fightback from the Bulldogs to win 12.14 (86) to 12.4 (76) to remain second on the ladder.

Trailing by 21 points midway through the final term, the Bulldogs charged back with goals to Joel Freijah and Marcus Bontempelli before Rhylee West’s fourth with a minute remaining set up a grandstand finish.

But the home team survived, as Will Ashcroft kicked his third goal on the siren to secure the four premiership points.

Brisbane won the inside 50 count 64-44, but some sloppy entries in the third and fourth quarters, along with some poor set shot misses, kept the Dogs in the contest.

Bailey Dale (33), West and Bontempelli (24 and a goal) were terrific, but the loss leaves Luke Beveridge’s men a game outside the top eight with just five rounds remaining.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:57
    Exclusive
    Exclusive

    Bevo's Brief | Round 19

    Luke Beveridge breaks down the loss to Brisbane, and looks ahead to the Friday night clash with Essendon.

    AFL
    Video
  • 03:39
    Exclusive
    Exclusive

    Coaches' Brief | Round 19

    Daniel Pratt reflects on the loss to the lions and looks ahead to Round 20.

    AFL
    Video
  • 08:13

    Luke Beveridge | Post Match (R19)

    Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round 19’s match against Brisbane.

    AFL
    Video
  • 01:31

    Rhylee West | "We'll keep our heads up"

    Rhylee West talks about the loss to the Lions and looks ahead to next week.

    AFL
    Video
  • 08:11

    AFL R19 | Match Highlights

    The Lions and Bulldogs clash in round 19 of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:32

    AFL R19 | Air Naughton’s hanger

    Aaron Naughton reels in an outrageous speccy at half-back after sitting on top of Harris Andrews.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:42

    AFL R19 | West comes out best again to bite back for Dogs

    Rhylee West nails his third goal of the game, showcasing his smarts and forward craft for a timely reply

    AFL
    Video
  • 01:30

    Throwback | Hunter goes all the way

    Kingsley Hunter runs the length of the field to kick one of the best goals of the 2000 season.

    AFL
    Video
  • 11:35

    Luke Beveridge | "There’s definite room for improvement"

    Bevo speaks to the media ahead of round 19.

    AFL
    Video

BRISBANE                            2.2       7.4       10.11     12.14 (86)
WESTERN BULLDOGS         2.1       5.3       8.4         12.4 (76)

GOALS
Brisbane: W.Ashcroft 3, L.Ashcroft 2, Berry 2, Lohmann 2, Rayner, Morris, Cameron
Western Bulldogs: West 4, Naughton 2, Kennedy, Garcia, Freijah, English, Darcy, Bontempelli

BEST
Brisbane: Dunkley, McCluggage, Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, Lester, Berry, Zorko
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, West, Dale, Richards, Lobb, Liberatore

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Laitham Vandermeer (ankle), James O’Donnell (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Sam Marshall (replaced Bruce Reville in the fourth quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Poulter (replaced Vandermeer at three quarter time)

Crowd: 29,039 at the Gabba