The largely defensive affair sprang into life in the final term when the Lions mounted a late charge. Young Jack Redden had a chance to steal the win inside the last 30 seconds after Alwyn Davey was penalised 50m for failing to give the ball back correctly.
But Redden's attempt missed to the left, to set up the final scoreline of 0.9.13 (67) to 1.7.14 (65).
The Bombers had led by 19 points earlier in the last quarter, but two late goals to Mitch Clark saw the Lions claw back into the contest with only their accuracy – they scored eight behinds for the term – robbing them of the win.
Josh Drummond had a game-high 30 possessions while Bradd Dalziell continued to shine with 29 touches. Daniel Bradshaw moved well in his first game of the 2009 campaign and booted three goals.
Hayden Skipworth was important for the Dons with 22 disposals and a goal, while with David Hille was the best ruckman on the ground with 19 hitouts and 15 touches.
The Lions’ boom recruit Daniel Rich was prominent early, but tired to finish with 13 possessions in midfield.
It was an even contest early, but the Lions soon fell behind thanks to their inaccuracy in front of goal.
Three shots sailed wide of the mark while Jay Neagle and Heath Hocking kicked truly for the Bombers, but Scott Harding levelled the scores after a 50m penalty allowed him to put through a nine pointer from point-blank range.
That was to be the visitors' only major for the term, however, with Angus Monfries giving his side a seven-point lead at the first break.
The congested play of the first quarter continued in the second and worsened as the tempo of the match slowed to a crawl.
With both coaches seemingly content to test their defensive structures, scoring shots were rare with the Lions’ only goal coming after 12 minutes when Troy Selwood found Bradshaw on a strong lead.
The Dons had the better of the remainder of play, but took their turn at being wasteful with Skipworth the only one to convert from five Essendon shots at goal.
An 11-point deficit at half-time stretched to 19 as the third quarter progressed, but the Lions slowly worked their way back into the contest thanks in part to some good work from Ash McGrath who had eight possessions and kicked a goal to spark the revival.
Bradshaw got the better of young Darcy Daniher in the shadows of the three-quarter time siren to add another two goals to his tally and slash the deficit to just one point.
An errant pass intercepted by Andrew Lovett saw the Bombers up by 19 points 10 minutes in, but that was to be their last goal as the Lions stormed home, only to fall just short.
The Lions will face Melbourne in the NAB Challenge series in Cairns next weekend.
Essendon 0.3.2 0.4.7 0.6.10 0.9.13 (67)
Brisbane Lions 1.0.4 1.1.5 1.5.6 1.7.14 (65)
GOALS
Essendon: Nine-point goals: Nil Goals: Lovett 2, Neagle, Hocking, Monfries, Skipworth, Jetta, Myers, Hille
Brisbane Lions: Nine-point goals: Harding Goals: Bradshaw 3, Clark 2, Sherman, McGrath
BEST
Essendon: Skipworth, Hille, Lovett, Winderlich, Watson, Lloyd, Lonergan
Brisbane Lions: Drummond, Dalziell, Bradshaw, McGrath, McDonald, Adcock
INJURIES
Essendon: McVeigh (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Jeffery, Findlay
Crowd: 12,260 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
