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Brisbane’s Brent Staker kicked the winning goal in his first AFL match for more than a year to seal an upset victory over Essendon on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.
The fired-up Lions kicked the last two goals to win 14.12 (96) to 12.14 (86), just their third win of the season and by far their most impressive.
It was the Bombers’ second straight defeat after starting the season with six wins.
Staker kicked the winner with less than a minute to play, from a tight angle almost 50m out.
He was mobbed by teammates, in what was his first match since 2011, after returning from a second knee reconstruction in two years.
Lions star forward Jonathan Brown returned to form with 11 marks and two goals, including a crucial but controversial major in the last term, while Daniel Merrett was excellent in defence and Jack Redden had a superb game in the midfield.
The Lions, who had produced a series of poor first quarters in their previous games outside Queensland this season, made a statement from the start.
They led 2.2 to nothing after the first 10 minutes, Dayne Zorko kicking the opening two goals, the first a brilliant solo effort after he smothered a Jobe Watson kick.
The Lions’ aggressive physical approach then sent two Bombers to the bench.
Defender Daniel Merrett slung Essendon’s Michael Hurley in a tackle, Hurley having to be subbed off with concussion after his head thumped the ground, in an incident likely to attract match review panel scrutiny.
Brisbane’s Justin Clarke then slammed his body into Essendon’s Elliott Kavanagh, after the Bomber had marked, with Kavanagh leaving the ground to be checked before returning.
The Bombers fought back to hit the lead early in the second term, but the lead then changed repeatedly throughout.
Stewart Crameri put the Bombers in front with an early goal in the last quarter.
But Brown put the Lions back in front after being paid a mark on the behind line.
The mark had to be reviewed, with replays suggesting it possibly crossed the line before Brown marked, but it was ruled inconclusive so the mark stood and the co-captain converted.
Essendon went back in front midway through the term through a Ben Howlett set shot.
But the Lions regained the lead early in time-on when Zorko kicked his third, after Michael Hibberd turned the ball over with a poor kick out of defence.
Staker then sealed the Lions’ victory.
Dyson Heppell was Essendon’s best with 26 touches and two goals.
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