Dogs left to rue as Lions pounce

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WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney chipped the ball from just outside 50 to the hot spot at the top of the goalsquare.

Amid a pack of nearly a dozen players, Brisbane defender Joel Patfull marked it ... unopposed.

DOGS-LIONS: FULL SUPERCOACH SCORES

That was enough for Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney. Just two minutes into the third quarter, he released substitute Daniel Giansiracusa.

No time to save Gia to impact on the burst in the final quarter in his usual super-sub role. This was a rescue mission for the 32-year-old to try to kick-start the Doggies' scoreboard at Etihad Stadium last night.

Luke Dahlhaus holds on to Joel Patfull. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

While Giansiracusa did slot a couple, the Bulldogs' inability to construct a competitive score again cost them dearly against this revived Lions unit.

The Lions' second victory on the trot and their third of 2014 saw them move above St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney, with the Giants dropping to last spot after a home loss to Essendon.

The Lions broke the game open with a seven-goals-to-two second quarter and went on to win 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87).

Jason Tutt tackles Claye Beams. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

While Tom Williams presented well, two goals wasn't sufficient return for a key marking target. Stewart Crameri won plenty of the ball, but too often outside range. And you couldn't expect too much from Jarrad Grant in his first AFL appearance this season.

It was so frustrating for the Dogs as the collective workrate gave them a chance until deep into extra time in the last quarter.

And they could only wonder what might have been if big Will Minson, Luke Dahlhaus and Giansiracusa had converted set shots in the tense final five minutes.

Easton Wood kicked a telling third-quarter goal. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

But Brisbane deserved this rare triumph at the Docklands. While the 11 individual goalkickers emphasised the team element, they had solid contributors. Like Patfull down back, Rohan Bewick and Pearce Hanley won plenty of the ball and third-choice ruckman Stefan Martin held his own against the vastly more experienced Minson.

Brisbane produced its best quarter of the season, hammering the Dogs with 7.5 in the second term to split the game open.

Brown pushes Jordan Roughead out of the way. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Bulldogs just couldn't contain the Lions speed, that fast break from a quick handball out of the congestion to set free the runners.

Dayne Zorko's blinding speed typified the Lions run and dare that so often left the Doggies looking lead-footed and missing tackles as opponents burst clear in the perfect playing conditions.

The Dogs paid Zorko the highest compliment by sending specialist tagger Liam Picken to him after the lively Lion had been involved in five of those goals in the dominant second quarter. He had a much quieter second half, but the damage was done.

Dayne Zorko and Jack Redden were influential in the second term. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

It had started so full of promise for the Bulldogs too. Nathan Hrovat celebrated his 20th birthday by being on the end of a Dogs burst from the opening bounce to goal after just 21 seconds.

And the birthday boy helped himself to another goal late in the first quarter when the Bulldogs were more than a match for Brisbane with workrate and attack on the ball.

Liam Picken fires off a quick handball. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

But the Lions signalled they were right in this contest with telling centre clearances in the last 10 minutes of the first term that produced goals from James Aish and Brown.

And Brisbane's ability to find space proved decisive in that second quarter blitz. It was as if the Lions had been given a licence to play on at every opportunity.

Wood and Marco Paparone get accustomed. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Even Jack Redden, assigned to run with Dogs key playmaker Ryan Griffen, chimed in with two goals. And his cheek to let Griffen know about it prompted a brief, ugly confrontation that threatened to spill over into a melee.

Redden's in-your-face reaction after the goal underlined the Lions' collective confidence to take on their opponents with that run, link and dare that left the Bulldogs with too greater task in the second half.

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