After trailing by nearly six goals in the third term, the Western Bulldogs line-up that contained just nine of last season's premiership team has fallen eight points short of the Brisbane Lions.
Despite the Western Bulldogs dominating field position in the final quarter, the Lions hung on to win their first game under new coach Chris Fagan, 0.10.6 (66) to 1.6.13 (58).
Although the result was not critical, a knee injury to Roarke Smith in the third quarter meant the night ended on a sour note for the Bulldogs.
However, given their poor form in 2016, it was an impressive effort from the Lions.
They gained the ascendancy at the stoppages with veteran Lions big man Stefan Martin too strong in the ruck contest for Tim English, who tried hard in his first game.
Dayne Zorko was relentless and Beams showed his class early in his return from a knee injury. Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff also hit the contest hard and showed the way for the young group.
In the finish it was red-time goals to Lion Mitch Robinson at the end of the first and third quarters that sealed the deal for the Lions, who controlled the ball well in the first half and played solid tempo football.
By contrast, some of the young Bulldogs were slow to pull the trigger and despite the best efforts of Lin Jong, who battled hard in the middle and Liam Picken who was playing his first game after suffering a fractured cheekbone in February, they could not reel the Lions in, making it particularly tough with seven behinds in the final quarter.
The Bulldogs expect Marcus Bontempelli to play his first game next Thursday against Gold Coast and will play a more experienced team in their final hit-out before round one.
More to come
WHAT WE LEARNED
Western Bulldogs: With just nine players from last season's premiership team playing, Travis Cloke rested, and one less player than their opposition on the bench, the Western Bulldogs were well below full-strength. It showed in the first half however, as with last season, the game was a good chance for their young players to have a hit-out before the Bulldogs' opening round clash against Collingwood.
Brisbane Lions: Dayne Beams makes a huge difference around the contest, as he is so good at gathering the ground ball and distributes it in a calm manner. The Lions looked organised and did not give the ball up easily. Although they handballed around stoppages and released, it was noticeable they were prepared to slow the game down when appropriate more often than last season.
NEW FACES
Western Bulldogs: Tim English competes hard, is willing to fight for the ball on the ground and will only get better. It's easy to see why the Bulldogs used their first pick to take a ruckman in the NAB AFL Draft. In the third quarter Nathan Mullenger-McHugh laid a superb tackle, while Patrick Lipinski was handy up forward, clean in his possession and used it well.
Brisbane Lions: Jake Barrett was lively, kicking the first goal of the game and providing link-up run to finish with 17 touches. Matthew Hammellmann is a big-bodied defender who will take time but he is a good size.
NEXT UP
The Western Bulldogs play on the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium against the Suns next Thursday night in what will be close to a full dress rehearsal. The Brisbane Lions fly to Adelaide to take on the Crows at Hickinbotham Oval.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2.2 0.2.4 1.5.7 1.6.13 (58)
BRISBANE LIONS 0.4.2 0.6.3 0.9.6 0.10.6 (66)
SUPERGOALS
Western Bulldogs: Suckling
Brisbane Lions: Nil
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Jong 2, Stringer 2, C. Smith, Dale
Brisbane Lions: Close 2, Robinson 2, Bell 2, Barrett, Keays, Zorko, Hipwood
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Picken, Jong, Dunkley, Suckling
Brisbane Lions: Martin, Beams, Zorko, Bewick, Andrews
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Roarke Smith (knee)
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Findlay, Foote, Mollison
Official crowd: 4901
