Two weeks after being named NAB Cup premiers, the Brisbane Lions have come crashing back to reality following a 68 point defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions were never in the game with the Bulldogs booting the first six goals of the game who never looked in doubt from then on.
At times the Lions showed signs of the slick ball movement that was a feature during the pre-season but were hurt by poor kicking for goal and not able to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Midfielder Tom Rockliff led the way for the Lions on the stats sheet, while former Melbourne on-baller Brent Moloney also tried his best to turn things around.
Jack Redden tried hard in close making 10 tackles but unfortunately his teammates couldn’t match the pressure applied by the Bulldogs.
Matt Maguire added to his team's woes when he had to be subbed out of the game midway through the third quarter after suffering an ankle injury.
The Lions will need to produce a much better showing when they play their first home game of the season against Adelaide at the Gabba next Saturday night.
BRISBANE LIONS 0.6 3.10 5.14 7.17 (59)
GOALS
Bulldogs: Giansiracusa 3, Higgins 3, Cordy 2, Dahlhaus 2, Murphy 2, Dickson 2, Griffen 2, Jones, Johannisen, Cooney
Lions: Brown, Rich, Beams, Martin, Cornelius, Redden, Moloney,
BEST
Bulldogs: Goodes, Griffen, Minson, Murphy, Liberatore, Higgins, Lower, Roughead, Stevens
Lions: Rockliff, Moloney, Karnezis
INJURIES
Bulldogs: Stevens (hamstring)
Lions: Maguire (leg)
SUBSTITUTES
Bulldogs: Koby Stevens (hamstring) replaced by Clay Smith at three-quarter time
Lions: Matt Maguire (leg) replaced by Claye Beams in the third quarter
Reports: Pearce Hanley (Brisbane) reported in the 2nd quarter for rough conduct
