THE BRISBANE Lions have drawn for the first time against Essendon, after Daniel Bradshaw marked and then kicked truly after the final siren in their round 19 clash at the MCG on Saturday night.

In a remarkable finish, Lions champion Jonathan Brown won the ball from a boundary throw-in and managed to get boot to ball as he was being tackled. The ball then flew to the goalsquare where Bradshaw marked.

The siren then sounded and Bradshaw slotted through his second goal of the night, to level the scores – Brisbane Lions 12.l5 (87) to Essendon 13.9 (87).

After Essendon led entering the last quarter, the Lions flew out of the blocks with the first three goals of the term to reclaim a six-point lead.

But when Irishman Michael Quinn kicked his first AFL goal for the Dons, the scores were level. Angus Monfries followed up with his second goal to put the home side ahead.

Missed shots from Josh Drummond and Brown (who failed to kick a goal for the night, but kicked five behinds) came in time-on. Bradshaw then kicked the sealer to all but secure the Lions for September and put another dent in Essendon's finals prospects.

Until the final term, Brown and Bradshaw hadn't kicked a goal between them. Brown had three behinds and Bradshaw one, although the duo had a combined four scoring assists at that stage.

In the finish, Bradshaw, who had Essendon great Dustin Fletcher as his opponent, broke the drought at the five-minute mark of the last quarter. He finished with two majors, although Fletcher was one of the game's best. 

Brown was still busy, but fluffed some shots at goal, as youngster Tayte Pears did a fine job. It was the first time Brown was held goalless since round 22 last year against the Sydney Swans.

Mitch Clark did his All-Australian ruck prospects no harm with 28 disposals and 31 hit outs, while Tasmanian Justin Sherman was outstanding with 33 touches, including 21 by half-time.

Triple premiership heroes Simon Black and Luke Power were also important with more than 50 possessions combined.

For the Dons, Jobe Watson (32 disposals) was his side's highest ball-winner.

Essendon kicked the first two goals of the night, as it took 19 minutes before the Lions posted their first via Jared Brennan.

And when Adam McPhee jagged back-to-back goals in time-on, the Dons were up by 17 points.

But after Power, who had 11 touches in the first term, ran into an open goal and Daniel Rich snapped a beauty from the pocket, the Lions were just six points down at the opening break.

Sherman was lively from the outset with 13 touches and Clark provided the first term highlight with a hanger over Bomber Angus Monfries.

Rich bagged his second to start the second quarter as the Lions soon grabbed the lead for the first time.

A creative dribble goal under pressure from Scott Harding and a 55-metre roost from Michael Rischitelli followed mid-way during the term, giving the visitors a 14-point advantage.

Essendon looked set to go goalless for the quarter until Sam Lonergan and Michael Hurley kicked truly at the 27 and 28 minute marks respectively, pegging the margin back to one point at half-time.

The Lions started the third term promisingly, but five unanswered scoring shots only resulted in 1.4 and an 11-point lead, which was not enough.

As a result, the Dons hit back with five of the remaining six goals for the term and claimed a 15-point buffer heading into what was a nail-biting final term. 

Brown had four score assists and Bradshaw three to show their value isn't only on the scoreboard.


DETAILS

Essendon             4.3    6.5    11.7    13.9 (87)
Brisbane Lions     3.3    6.6    8.10    12.15 (87)

GOALS
Essendon: Neagle 3, McPhee 2, Monfries 2, Hurley, Lonergan, Lovett-Murray, Prismall, Quinn, Watson
Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 2, Harding 2, Rich 2, Rischitelli 2, Brennan, Polkinghorne, Power, Sherman

BEST
Essendon: Fletcher, Watson, Pears, Prismall, Reimers, Houli
Brisbane Lions: Clark, Sherman, Black, Power, Brennan, Rich, Brown

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil

REPORTS
Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Schmitt, Hendrie
Official crowd: 41,636 at MCG


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.

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