The Brisbane Lions caused a major upset on Saturday, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 8 points to avoid the wooden spoon.
>>MATCH REPORT: Lions upset Bulldogs to finish on a high note
Brisbane 19.16.130 def. Bulldogs 19.8.122
The last-placed Brisbane Lions meet the rising Western Bulldogs at the Gabba to conclude their 2015 season. Join The Roar from 1:30pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Lions will finish at the bottom of the table, having struggled to get off the ground and show their claws throughout the 2015 season.
The Queensland-based club hold a win-loss record of 3-18 and will be glad to see their season over.
Some Lions players want to leave Brisbane, however the majority of the squad will likely stay on and need to show some hunger this afternoon.
Meanwhile, if results go the Bulldogs’ way, they can make the qualifying finals and have a double chance if they lose, or a home final in week three with a win.
In their past five matches, the Lions have won three with the Bulldogs taking two. The Bulldogs were however most recent winners, when in Round 12 they thrashed the Lions 22.14 (146) – 11.8 (74).
The Bulldogs are coming off a win over the Kangaroos 14.12 (96) – 10.13 (73), while the Lions last week lost to the Hawks 9.8 (62) – 21.8 (134)
Prediction
Footscray will score an impressive win over Fitzroy to secure a home final.
Bulldogs by 62 points
Join The Roar from 1:30pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Pretty good game of footy, very nice to see such an open encounter, but Bevo must know that you can't turn finals into shoot-outs if you want to go deep into the finals.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Tanking? I don't think so. The Lions have held on for an eight point win.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
STATS THAT MATTER: Disposals: BRI 441 - 313 WBL Clearances: BRI 53 - 32 WBL Inside 50: BRI 61 - 54 WBL Contested Possessions: BRI 157 - 129 WBL Tackles: BRI 58 - 55 WBL Hit-Outs BRI 52 - 40 WBL Free Kicks: BRI 21 - 16 WBL
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Bulldogs started strong in the first-quarter, racing away for the highest scoring opening term at the Gabba in 2015. Jordan Roughead and Mitch Honeychurch got the ball running for the 'Dogs, before Jed Adcock put the Lions in the game. Lewis Taylor scored the Lions second before Jack Redpath, Liam Picken, Jack Macrae and Stringer scored more goals for the Bulldogs to put them in front at the end of the opening quarter by 31 points. The second quarter was different with the Lions' opening strong with goals to Josh Green, Jonathan Freeman, Dayne Zorko, Billy Evans, Lewis Taylor and Daniel McStay. Stringer finally put the Bulldogs on the board in the second term, with Bontempelli following to make a contest of the game. Crameri scored to extend the Bulldogs' lead and close out the first half. Adcock was the first to score in the second half, followed by Pearce Hanley off a free kick. Marcus Bontempelli and Tory Dickson came through for the Bulldogs to keep the contest alive before Adcock, Green and Hanley hit back alongside McStay to put the Lions in front at the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs lead by 15 points. The final term started off close with Brett Goodes joining Redpath and Stringer as opening scorers in the fourth. Taylor got the Lions on the board, followed by Green before Redpath put the Bulldogs back in it. Allen Christensen was next to score with a converted set shot, Macrae closing the gap to two points with Caleb Daniel putting the Bulldogs back in front with his first goal. Jed Adcock changed the lead again with a goal from outside 50, Green followed and secured a Lions win to keep them off the bottom of the table. Brisbane Lions 19.16 (130) Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JOSH GREEN Green runs into the open goal to score. Two minutes remaining, Lions lead by 8 points Brisbane Lions 19.16 (130) Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
BEHIND! PEARCE HANLEY Hanley fails to convert the set shot from inside 50 Brisbane Lions 18.16 (124) Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JED ADCOCK Adcock with a monster goal from outside 50. Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! CALEB DANIEL Daniel scores to put the Bulldogs in front Brisbane Lions 17.15 (117) Western Bulldogs 19.7 (121)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JACK MACRAE Just under 10 minutes remaining, Macrae converts to close the gap to two points Brisbane Lions 17.15 (117) Western Bulldogs 18.7 (115)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! ALLEN CHRISTENSEN Christensen converts the set shot off a Rich mark Brisbane Lions 17.15 (117) Western Bulldogs 17.7 (109)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JACK REDPATH Redpath puts it through, just over 11 minutes remaining Brisbane Lions 16.15 (111) Western Bulldogs 17.7 (109)
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Who'd have thought there'd be a double hundred in Round 23? Great game!
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
BEHIND! JAKE STRINGER Stringer can't convert the set shot Brisbane Lions 16.15 (111) Western Bulldogs 16.7 (103)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JOSH GREEN Rockcliff kicks to Green who converts the set shot. Brisbane Lions 16.15 (111) Western Bulldogs 16.6 (102)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! LEWIS TAYLOR Taylor kicks a goal through the centre sticks and the Lions are back in the lead Brisbane Lions 15.15 (105) Western Bulldogs 16.6 (102)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JAKE STRINGER Stringer gets his fourth to put the Bulldogs in front. Brisbane Lions 14.15 (99) Western Bulldogs 16.6 (102)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! JACK REDPATH Redpath picks up in front of the sticks to score. Brisbane Lions 14.15 (99) Western Bulldogs 15.6 (96)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GOAL! BRETT GOODES Goodes gets his first score of the game and the 'Dogs first of the final quarter. Brisbane Lions 14.15 (99) Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The final quarter has begun! Brisbane Lions 14.15 (99) Western Bulldogs 13.6 (84)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
END THIRD QUARTER The Bulldogs started strong in the first-quarter, racing away for the highest scoring opening term at the Gabba in 2015. Jordan Roughead and Mitch Honeychurch got the ball running for the 'Dogs, before Jed Adcock put the Lions in the game. Lewis Taylor scored the Lions second before Jack Redpath, Liam Picken, Jack Macrae and Stringer scored more goals for the Bulldogs to put them in front at the end of the opening quarter by 31 points. The second quarter was different with the Lions' opening strong with goals to Josh Green, Jonathan Freeman, Dayne Zorko, Billy Evans, Lewis Taylor and Daniel McStay. Stringer finally put the Bulldogs on the board in the second term, with Bontempelli following to make a contest of the game. Crameri scored to extend the Bulldogs' lead and close out the first half. Adcock was the first to score in the second half, followed by Pearce Hanley off a free kick. Marcus Bontempelli and Tory Dickson came through for the Bulldogs to keep the contest alive before Adcock, Green and Hanley hit back alongside McStay to put the Lions in front at the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs lead by 15 points. Brisbane Lions 14.15 (99) Western Bulldogs 13.6 (84)