THE BRISBANE Lions tumbled to a 64-point defeat to Essendon at Docklands on Saturday afternoon after a second-half fadeout.
The disappointing Lions went without a goal from the 21-minute mark of the second quarter to the 14-minute mark of the last term, while the Bombers piled on nine unanswered majors.
The Lions lost 8.15 (63) to the Bombers’ 18.19 (127).
Jonathan Brown, who lined up on former Lion Mal Michael, presented constantly on the forward line, but received little support from his teammates. He finished with 1.3.
The teams traded goals for most of the first half until Essendon grabbed a late major to give them a 14-point margin at half-time.
The match slipped from the Lions’ grasp in the third quarter, when Essendon kicked 6.5 to just two points.
The Lions looked for Brown at virtually every opportunity, but he was consistently double- and triple-teamed.
Troy Selwood was busy in the midfield with 10 possessions in the first quarter, and finished with 35 possessions and two goals. Simon Black also played well for the Lions.
Essendon champion James Hird was dominant in the first term, with nine possessions and eight marks, and of concern for the Lions all game was the Bombers’ ability to win uncontested ball around the ground.
ESSENDON 3.6 7.10 13.15 18.19 (127)
BRISBANE 2.4 5.8 5.10 8.15 (63)
Goals: Essendon: M Lloyd 4 J Hird 2 A Monfries 2 M McVeigh 2 B Houli 2 J Watson J Johnson D Hille B Stanton S Lucas A Davey. Brisbane: T Selwood 2 T Notting A McGrath J Brown J Patfull J Drummond C Begley.
Best: Essendon: J Hird J Watson D Fletcher D Hille M McVeigh A Monfries. Brisbane: S Black T Selwood R Hadley N Lappin J Brown J Adcock.
Injuries: Essendon: A Lovett (knee - replaced in selected side by R Dyson). Brisbane: C Stiller (ankle).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: H Kennedy K Nicholls T Pannell
Crowd: 35,034 at Telstra Dome.
