The Brisbane Lions staged a storming second half comeback before falling short against Essendon in a 27-point loss at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The Bombers looked home when they led by 42 points late in the second term, but the new-look Lions are a different team in 2017 and just wouldn't roll over.

Eric Hipwood gave the home team the lead early in the last quarter with his second goal, before the Bombers steadied, kicking the game's final five goals to win 17.9 (111) to 12.12 (84).

Orazio Fantasia put his team back in front for the final time, kicking the fourth of his five goals at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter.

Kyle Langford, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, David Zaharakis and Fantasia (after the siren) kicked further goals to blow the scoreline out.

It didn't reflect how close the contest was, but the Bombers must be commended on their composure and ability to run the game out.

The Bombers' first half was blistering, with eight unanswered goals either side of quarter-time blowing the game open.

Or so they thought.

The Lions are a different team in 2017 under Chris Fagan, and they just would not go away.

After kicking the final two goals of the second quarter to reduce the margin to 29 points, they upped their intensity significantly after half-time.

 

Stefan Martin began to have his way around the stoppages, while skipper Dayne Beams (33 touches) was again highly influential in the six goals to two quarter.

The Lions had just 21 tackles in the first half, but cranked out 24 in the third term alone, as well as dominating the clearances 15-8 to cut the lead to just five points.

Eric Hipwood uncorked a spectacular left footed effort and Dayne Zorko matched it on the siren with a 45m gem off the outside of his right boot, as the Lions roared back.

After kicking the final two goals of the second quarter to reduce the margin to 29 points, they upped their intensity significantly after half-time.

BRISBANE LIONS   3.2   5.6   11.9   12.12   (84)                  

ESSENDON   4.2   10.5   12.8  17.9   (111)          

 

GOALS

Brisbane Lions: Close 2, Beams 2, Hipwood 2, Rich, Robinson, Taylor, Andrews, Lester, Zorko

Essendon: Fantasia 5, Daniher 3, Hooker 2, Zaharakis 2, Colyer, Merrett, Goddard, Langford, McDonald-Tipungwuti

 

BEST

Brisbane Lions: Beams, Martin, Zorko, Rockliff, Hipwood, Cutler

Essendon: Merrett, Watson, Fantasia, Heppell, Goddard, Colyer

 

INJURIES

Brisbane Lions: Nil

Essendon: Nil

 

Reports: Nil

 

Umpires: Jeffery, Stephens, Fisher

 

Official crowd: 21,749 at the Gabba