ESSENDON has dodged a bullet and kept its finals hopes flickering with a come-from-behind eight-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Trailing by four points at the final change, the Bombers kicked the only two goals of the final quarter to win 9.11 (65) to 8.9 (57).

They have crept into the top eight with a 4-4 record, but were anything but convincing ahead of Friday night's date with the in-form Sydney Swans.

The Bombers will also be sweating on the availability of veteran Paul Chapman, who will almost certainly face scrutiny from the Match Review Panel for a second-quarter incident involving Lion Jack Redden.

Redden came away with a contested ball before Chapman raised his right elbow and caught the Lion across the face with a glancing blow.

It could have been much worse, with the impact minimal at most.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson (35 disposals) stood up under the fourth quarter heat to lead his team home.

Essendon led by as much as 20 points during the second quarter but had to withstand a fierce second half from the home team.

The Lions, sparked by small forward Josh Green's three goals and vice-captain Tom Rockliff's 35 touches, kicked four goals to one in the third quarter to take the lead.

Teenagers Marco Paparone (29) and James Aish (23) were also superb in defeat.

"I thought everyone played well," Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said.

"The kids have talent. We’ve still got a few games to go - whether they’ve got the energy and consistency to keep this effort up for the rest of the year will be tested, I guess.

“They were very good against St Kilda and dropped away last week. I don't want it to drop away next week when we have the challenge of going to Melbourne (to play North Melbourne)."

Goddard also sent a scare through the Bombers during the second quarter when he reeled away from a contest with Andrew Raines clutching his jaw and cheek.

The two tough nuts approached a loose ball at high speed, but Raines got there first and turned his shoulder to protect the ball.

The incidents spiced up a match that had lacked spark – if not endeavour – in the first quarter-and-a-half.

Green's goal on the half-time siren came after players from both sides got caught in some push-and-shove and the Lion received a 50m penalty. 

BRISBANE LIONS                3.0      4.3       8.6                 8.9      (57)

ESSENDON                           2.3      6.4       7.8                 9.11    (65)

GOALS

Brisbane Lions: Green 3, D Merrett, Brown, Zorko, Paparone, Paine

Essendon: Z Merrett 2, Goddard, Daniher, Carlisle, Zaharakis, Watson, J Merrett, Ryder

BEST 

Brisbane Lions: Green, Aish, Rockliff, Paparone, Hanley

Essendon: Watson, Heppell, Goddard, Ryder, Stanton

INJURIES 

Brisbane Lions: TBC

Essendon: TBC

SUBSTITUTES

Brisbane Lions: Nick Robertson for Andrew Raines at three-quarter time.

Essendon: Kurt Aylett for Martin Gleeson in the third quarter.

Reports: Matt Maguire for tripping Joe Daniher in the third quarter

Umpires: Leppard, Meredith and Mitchell.