The Brisbane Lions will likely avoid the wooden spoon after their upset eight-point victory at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
Despite losing 19.16 (130) to 19.8 (122), the Bulldogs wrapped up sixth place and will host a final against Adelaide next weekend.
The victory was a fitting farewell for departing Lion Jed Adcock, who was hugely instrumental in the upset, kicking four goals.
It was a thrilling contest that swung wildly in the first three quarters and had 12 lead changes before the Lions finally clung on.
The 38-goal contest was just the second time in six years that both teams topped 120 points and was the highest-scoring match at the Gabba in a decade.
Adcock kicked four, as did Josh Green, while Stefan Martin was the best player afield with 32 disposals, 50 hit-outs and seven marks.
The Lions' midfield dominated, with Tom Rockliff (39 disposals), Pearce Hanley (35), Dayne Zorko (30) and Daniel Rich (27) all influential.
The Bulldogs trailed by 15 points at the last change and kicked three goals to hit the lead, but the Lions would not be denied.
Adcock's brilliant three-bounce goal from outside 50m with five minutes remaining gave the Lions the lead, which they never relinquished.
It was their fourth win of the year and takes them above Carlton on percentage ahead of the Blues' final round match against Hawthorn.
Despite resting veterans Robert Murphy, Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd, the Bulldogs roared to a 31-point quarter-time lead on the back of some horrible Lions turnovers, but were then overrun.
The Lions kicked six goals in each of the second and third terms, playing their best football of a forgettable season.
Marcus Bontempelli finished with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Jake Stringer kicked four goals and Jack Redpath three.
It was a sad finish for retiring Lion Brent Staker, who didn't even make it on to the park after injuring his hamstring in the warm up.
BRISBANE LIONS 2.5 8.12 14.15 19.16 (130)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.0 11. 2 13. 6 19.8 (122)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Adcock 4, Green 4, Taylor 3, Hanley 2, McStay 2, Freeman, Zorko, Evans, Christensen
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 4, Redpath 3, Bontempelli 2, Macrae 2, Roughead, Honeychurch, Picken, Dahlhaus, Crameri, Dickson, Goodes, Daniel
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Martin, Rich, Rockliff, Hanley, Robinson, Adcock
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Picken, Wallis, Redpath
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions:
Western Bulldogs: Crameri (left knee/cork)
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Harris Andrews at three-quarter time
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel replaced Stewart Crameri in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Schmitt, Mollison
Official crowd: 15,434 at the Gabba
