While it was only one win, last year's stunning victory over Essendon provided more than just four points.
It provided positive reinforcement, that despite being on the bottom of the ladder, the emerging Brisbane Lions were on the right track.
In front of 40,000 at Etihad Stadium in Round 15, the Bombers were the stronger of the two sides across the first three quarters and led at every change.
With the Lions missing Dayne Beams and the Bombers holding serious finals aspirations, it was expected that the last quarter would be a walkover for the home side, especially when they held a game-high lead of 27 points at the four-minute mark of the final quarter.
Two goals to Rohan Bewick cut the margin, before Josh Walker, Eric Hipwood and Ryan Bastinac added majors to propel the Lions into the lead.
A goal to Essendon livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti levelled the scores with a few minutes left before Ryan Lester took a huge pack mark and slotted the goal to seal a huge victory for the Lions.
Eric Hipwood finished the match with a game-high four goals. Rohan Bewick was the next best with three majors.
Lewy Taylor was influential with 24 disposals at 91.7% efficiency to go with three goal assists, while Dayne Zorko was busy as usual and finished with 30 disposals and eight tackles.
Chris Fagan was naturally ecstatic with the victory.
"One of the toughest things to do with a young group is to get them to believe. To the credit of our group, they've stuck at it. They've embraced the way that we've coached them," Fagan said.
"In our history, in the last six months, today is a very important day."
"We've got a lot more work to do to become a side that can be respected in the competition, but it's on the back of wins like that that people start to recognise that a young group's really improving and embracing all the things that the coaching group's been trying to teach them."
ESSENDON 3.5 4.10 9.13 11.16 (82)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.3 4.5 7.6 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Essendon: Daniher 3, Hooker 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Fantasia, Green, Stewart, Parish
Brisbane Lions: Hipwood 4, Bewick 3, Zorko 2, Cutler, Walker, Bastinac, Lester
BEST
Essendon: Goddard, Heppell, Hurley, Daniher, McGrath
Brisbane Lions: Taylor, Zorko, Witherden, Hipwood, McStay, Rockliff, Cutler
