The Western Bulldogs have dramatically won through to the 2021 AFL Preliminary Final with a one-point win over Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

A scrambled rush behind from the boot of Laitham Vandermeer with just seconds remaining, and some desperate defending, saw the Dogs scored one the most momentous victories in its recent history.

It was one of the games of the year, with several momentum swings and the very real prospect of extra time until that Vandermeer behind.

At the 30-minute-mark, Bailey Smith scored an incredible left foot running goal from the boundary to put the Bulldogs six points clear.

Marcus Bontempelli spent the final few frantic phases of play on the interchange bench, after suffering a knock to his knee.

Earlier, livewire forward Cody Weightman was subbed out of the game with a head knock.

All-Australian midfielder Jack Macrae was immense for the four quarters, recording 39 disposals, five tackles, 11 clearances, 11 inside 50s, 813 metres gained and a crucial goal at the start of the last quarter.

Smith’s game was also full of merit – along with 27 disposals and nine inside 50s, he kicked a career high three goals. 

Two of those came in the last 30 minutes, when the game was on the line.

Caleb Daniel was a driving force off half back, finishing with 31 touches, while Alex Keath kept the dangerous Joe Daniher to one goal and six disposals.

Tom Liberatore helped the Bulldogs off to a flying start with the first two goals for the Dogs, but the Lions took an 11-point lead into quarter time after kicking five goals for the term – three off the boot of Charlie Cameron.

The margin was just one point at half time in the Bulldogs’ favour, before it looked like Brisbane would take a stranglehold on the contest when they stretched out to an 18-point lead.

But the Dogs hung around, and got themselves to within striking distance with a quarter to play.

With the first three goals of the last stanza, suddenly the Bulldogs had an eight-point lead.

The Lions struck back through Tom Fullarton, both teams traded behinds, then Smith injected himself with his goal for the ages.

The Lions attacked late, and were about to launch one more forward foray when the final siren sounded.

BRISBANE                                5.3       6.5       9.9       11.12 (78)
WESTERN BULLDOGS             3.4       6.6       7.11     11.13 (79)

GOALS    
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Bailey 2, Daniher, Fullarton, Lester, McCarthy, McCluggage, Robinson
Western Bulldogs: B.Smith 3, Liberatore 2, Hannan, Johannisen, Macrae, Naughton, Schache, Weightman

BEST    
Brisbane: McCluggage, Zorko, Cameron, Robinson, Lyons, Coleman
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Daniel, Bontempelli, B.Smith, Keath, Liberatore

INJURIES    
Brisbane: Payne (head); Berry (concussion)
Western Bulldogs: Weightman (head knock), Bontempelli (knee)

SUBSTITUTES    
Brisbane: Ryan Lester (replaced Jack Payne
Western Bulldogs: Jason Johannisen (Cody Weightman)

Crowd: 36,470 at the Gabba