The Essendon Bombers are 2-0 to start 2017 after coming away with a 27-point win over the Brisbane Lions.
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Final score
Brisbane Lions 12.12.84
Essendon Bombers 17.9.111
Coming off the back of a big upset over the Hawks last week, the Essendon Bombers will be looking to make it two from two when they head up to Queensland to take on the Brisbane Lions. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 7:25pm (AEDT).
The Bombers welcomed back a host of suspended players from the doping saga to open their 2017 season and they delivered straight out of the gate.
Essendon pulled out a shock performance against a much more fancied Hawthorn opponent, kicking 17 goals to 12 in an emotional 116-91 win.
A club that was battling with the Lions all year last season to avoid the wooden spoon have now shown glimpses of hope for a renewed and refreshed club.
Speaking of, last years basement dwellers also got their season off to an unexpected winning start, sneaking past local rivals the Gold Coast Suns.
Despite a near 50-point comeback from the Suns, the Lions were able to hold on to a slender two-point win to start the new season in the top half of the comp.
They’re now looking at winning the opening two games of the season for the first time in seven years dating back to 2010.
Essendon has won three of their last five games against the Lions, but only one of those have been away from home.
Brisbane won just two games from 11 outings at home last season, but it’s hardly a telling statistic because they lost everywhere last year, with just one victory on the road to back that up.
That one win on the road was against none other than today’s opponent, going down 128-91 in Round 18.
Team News
Nothing too serious for either side coming out of the first round last week.
The Bombers have been forced to bring Ben Howlett into the side after a hamstring injury ruled Josh Green out for this week at least.
Also for Essendon, veteran Brent Stanton will celebrate his 250th game this week.
For the Lions, coach Chris Fagan has also made just the one change to his side, bringing Jack Frost in for Ben Keays.
Prediction
This is a really difficult one to pick so early in the season. These two sides finished in the last two spots in 2016, with just three wins each for the year.
They’ve both started their seasons with wins this year, and while that could be misleading signs, it throws a spanner in the works for tipping. Essendon looked like a machine last week and I’m yet to be convinced on the Lions after a few tough seasons on the trot.
The Bombers should get home in this one but it can really go either way.
Essendon to win by 10
Connor Bennett
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report
Rissole
Guest
I was watching without sound. Didn't sight Daniher in the last quarter until the last minute and Langford was playing full foward for the quarter. Any reason?
Connor Bennett
Editor
XI
Roar Guru
I really hope the Lions play this well all year. It'd be nice to see them competing for finals again
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BOMBERS!!! Orazio Fantasia, after the fulltime siren, hits his fifth goal of the game to put the icing on the cake and complete a 27-point win for Essendon. Set shot from 40 metres out and halfway across to the right boundary line, he starts out right but brings it back through the sticks for another six-pointer in the personal tally. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 17.9 (111)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BOMBERS!!! David Zaharakis puts the final nail in the coffin for the Bombers with just under 2 minutes on the clock. It was some beautiful ball movement from Essendon at the top of the forward 50, with Watson getting himself in there with a pair of handballs. Zaharakis finishes it off, turning on the spot and delivering the goal off the right boot all in one motion for his second of the night. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 16.9 (105)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Hipwood trying to make something happen down the right boundary line but he's roped in and the Bombers go back to playing ball retention, playing across the back and winding down time as they switch over to the right wing. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Time is really starting to run out for the Lions who face a 15-point deficit. They need to turn the sides very soon or they'll be looking at defeat. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' A little reprieve for the Lions as the ball finds the boundary line outside the defensive 50. They're really struggling to get the ball up the other end of the park at the moment. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Lions surviving at the moment but it's not looking pretty at the back. Essendon really heaping on the pressure now as they wait for the boundary throw in just 25 metres from goal. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Lions under the pump as the Bombers push up front off the centre bounce once again. Brisbane get the turnover but their joy is short lived with the clearing kick finding the waiting arms of an Essendon singlet and they are right back on the attack. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BOMBERS!!! Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti adds to the pain for the Lion. The home side just couldn't get the clearance out of the defensive 50 and McDonald-Tipungwuti pounces on it, hammering home the six points from 30 metres out and he throws the arms up, he knows how important each and every goal is at this stage of the game. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 15.9 (99)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Brisbane still have plenty of time to work with here... but not when they give away a cheap 50 like that. A lazy push in the back after the mark and that's easy metres for the Bombers to get into the forward 50. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 14.9 (93)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BOMBERS!!! He made a mess of a certain goal 45 seconds prior, but Langford makes no mistakes this time, sinking the set shot from 35 out and a few yards left of centre. He's pumped with that one and Essendon needed that one, pushing the lead out beyond one goal. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 14.9 (93)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Bombers on the run here!! Counter is in full swing with McDonald-Tipungwuit, who finds Langford in open space with the handball. He should hit this. Oh, but he's grubbered it along the ground with a shocker of a kick. The worm burner hits the post and they only get one out of it when they should have had six. Brisbane 12.12 (84) Essendon 13.9 (87)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Rockliff finds the leading man for the Lions on the right boundary line inside 50, and it's that man Hipwood again. Once again though he's missed the intended target, flying across the face of goal from a tough angle and this one goes out on the full on the other side. Brisbane 12.11 (83) Essendon 13.8 (86)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Bombers moving up through the centre square... but a missed open mark is a gift of a turnover for the Lions. Both sides battling hard here with just 3 points in it. Brisbane 12.11 (83) Essendon 13.8 (86)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Hipwood reaches high above the pack to mark inside 50 off the centre bounce clearance and the home side could hit straight back here. He comes in from the side, hammering it long, but just a touch off, going through the left gate for a behind. Brisbane 12.11 (83) Essendon 13.8 (86)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BOMBERS!!! Essendon regains the lead thanks to Fantasia who has his fourth goal of the game, adding to his four in the first round last week. A clinical finish from 35 out and a touch to the left. He doesn't miss those ones. Brisbane 12.10 (82) Essendon 13.8 (86)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Lions now fighting in the defensive 50, tackling like their life depends on it... but Fantasia snatches up the mark in the middle!! Brisbane 12.10 (82) Essendon 12.8 (80)