The Western Bulldogs have kicked seven final-quarter goals to pull off a pulsating five-point win over two-time premiers Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Trailing by 26 points late in the third quarter, the Dogs were teetering but finished full of running to win 16.15 (111) to 15.16 (106).
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00:54
AFL R0 | Did this dancing Dog just kick Goal of the Year?
Bailey Williams sells more candy in one play than most sell all season in a mesmerising piece of skill to put his hand up for Goal of the Year
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00:41
AFL R0 | Bont brilliance kicks Dogs in front
Marcus Bontempelli glides forward and finishes superbly to hand his side an early third-quarter lead
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00:38
AFL R0 | New Dog Budarick strikes from distance
Connor Budarick nails this booming finish from distance for his first goal in Dogs colours
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00:50
AFL R0 | He’s an artist’: New season, same old Bont
Marcus Bontempelli hits the scoreboard in the first term after a clever gather and finish.
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Ed Richards was colossal for the victors, finishing with two goals from his 30 disposals that included 16 score involvements.
In a match that continued to raise in intensity the further it went, there were five lead changes in a thrilling fourth quarter, before Tim English put the Dogs in front for the final time after a gut-busting run allowed him to mark the ball 20m from goal.
Kai Lohmann had a late chance to level the scores, but his hurried snap went wide.
Brisbane will be disappointed to lose, generating 63 inside 50s to 50, but didn’t do too much wrong.
Charlie Cameron kicked four goals and looks back to his absolute best, while Harris Andrews and Ryan Lester won the ball back repeatedly in the back half.
Andrews could find himself in hot water with the MRO though, following a third-quarter incident that left young Dog Arthur Jones concussed.
Following an arm-wrestle of a first half where both teams struggled to break free of the opposition shackles, things opened up after the main break.
Brisbane appeared to blow the even contest open midway through the third quarter, going on a run of five goals that included two from crowd favourite Lohmann, to lead by 26 points.
But the Dogs would not be denied.
Sam Darcy and Bailey Williams kicked goals to get within striking range at the final change, and after English, Rhylee West and Richards kicked truly early in the last, suddenly the visitors were in front.
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, Allen, Bailey, Fort, Rayner
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Darcy 2, Richards 2, Williams, West, Naughton, English, Budarick, Bramble, Davidson
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
