THE BRISBANE Lions have ripped themselves off the bottom of the ladder and left the Western Bulldogs searching for a spark, prevailing by eight points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Producing the best football they have played under new coach Justin Leppitsch, the Lions played an exhilarating, hard-running brand to notch their second straight win - 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87).
The Lions made their move in the second quarter, kicking seven goals to two and opening up a 28-point lead, running the Bulldogs off their feet under the roof.
Wingman Rohan Bewick was superb for the Lions, finishing with a career-high 30 possessions and five clearances after spending a month in the NEAFL.
He was at the forefront of the Lions' second-quarter assault, winning 11 possessions for the term and swooping on a loose ball deep in attack to kick the goal that launched their run.
Dayne Zorko (19 possessions) was also instrumental for the visitors, bursting from congestion and setting up teammates with his creativity.
Perhaps most pleasing for the Lions, ruckman Stefan Martin stepped in to play just his second game since round four, 2013, taking the points against All Australian opponent Will Minson.
With big men Mathew Leuenberger and Trent West sidelined with long-term knee injuries, Martin's ability to register 32 hit-outs and six clearances was a great sign.
He was another at his best during the second term as the Lions dominated uncontested possession (58-33) and inside 50s (17-7) to snatch control of the game.
"You get a good feeling from winning, don't you?” Leppitsch said after the match, with the Lions preparing to host Greater Western Sydney as favourites next Saturday night.
"Lucky the game didn't go much longer [because] we were starting to fall away a bit in the end … but the boys hung on, so it was good."
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.3 7.5 9.5 13.9 (87)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.3 11.8 13.9 14.11 (95)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Hrovat 2, Williams 2, Giansiracusa 2, Griffen, Tutt, Picken, Wood, Crameri, Grant, Cooney
Brisbane Lions: Redden 2, Brown 2, Green 2, Beams, Patfull, Aish, Bewick, Zorko, Rockliff, Paparone, Hanley
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Wallis, Liberatore, Dahlhaus, Cooney
Brisbane Lions: Bewick, Zorko, Hanley, Redden, Martin, Patfull, Taylor
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Higgins (ribs)
Brisbane Lions: Taylor (left calf)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Daniel Giansiracusa replaced Christian Howard in the third quarter.
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Marco Paparone in the last quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Rosebury, O'Gorman
Official crowd: 18,054 at Etihad Stadium.
