The Brisbane Lions have produced a thrilling come-from-behind win against the Werribee Tigers in the VFL on Saturday afternoon. 

A fast-finishing Lions came back from 23-points down at half-time to open their season with a one-point victory. 

Fans at Brighton Homes Arena were treated to a pulsating start from Brisbane who kicked three of the first four goals. 

Rhys Mathieson, who was best on ground for the home side, kicked a 50-metre bomb to start proceedings before Wylie Buzza and Kai Lohmann followed suit to give the Lions the early advantage. 

Mathieson would finish the contest with two goals, 28 disposals and 11 clearances to play an instrumental role in the second-half comeback which saw the Lions roar back into the match. 

Mathieson’s second came off the back of two quick goals by Werribee and was the last Lions goal for the half. 

A nine-goal opening quarter saw Werribee lead by five points at the first break and would extend that lead in the second term, kicking another three goals to open up the largest margin of the match by half-time. 

Needing a fast start in the second half, Brisbane big man Buzza kicked the first of the quarter which sparked a burst of energy that James Tunstill and Nakia Cockatoo capitalized on to bring the margin back to four points. 

Lohmann’s second in the goal square proved there was plenty of feeling between the two sides, but a late goal from Werribee ensured the Lions would have to overcome an 11-point deficit in the final quarter. 

After a seesawing first 10 minutes, Harry Sharp broke the deadlock with a beautiful running goal to close the gap back to four points. 

As the rain started to fall, Cockatoo found a leading Buzza in the pocket to give the Lions a chance to hit the lead, an invitation he duly accepted kicking his third for the match. 

The sides traded behinds as the Tigers camped the ball inside their forward 50 , but the Lions backline stood strong to hold off Werribee. 

James Madden and Jaxon Prior were instrumental in the second half with their ball-use and run and carry off half-back. 

Prior finished with 22 disposals and seven marks, while Madden had 18 touches, 10 marks and six tackles. 

Sharp’s running was very effective late in the game while Ryan Lester controlled the back half with 21 disposals and seven marks.  

The Lions travel to Marvel Stadium next week to play the Footscray Bulldogs on Thursday afternoon at 2:45pm AEST. 

Final Score 

Brisbane 70 def Werribee 69 

Goals: Buzza 3, Mathieson 2, Lohmann 2, Tunstill, Sharp, Cockatoo 

Best: Mathieson, Madden, Prior, Buzza, Sharp, Lester