Last-placed Brisbane have put a massive hole in Essendon’s AFL finals hopes with a stunning eight-point win.
The Lions rallied from 27 points down early in the last quarter, kicking six of the last seven goals to win 13.12 (90) to 11.16 (82).
Brisbane’s third win in 2017 leaves the Bombers’ season in peril with a 6-8 record, two games outside the top eight.
Essendon had only themselves to blame for one of the biggest upsets in a season punctuated by boilovers.
They lacked intensity for much of the match and several times when it looked like they would take the game away, the young Lions roared back.
Following last week’s loss to Sydney, when they coughed up a 19-point lead with only a couple of minutes left, there are major questions about Essendon’s bona fides this season.
The Bombers have lost four of their past five games.
Conversely, it is the Lions’ first win in Melbourne since round 18 last season – also against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
Adding to the lustre of a mighty win, Brisbane lost defender Darcy Gardiner in the first quarter with what looks to be a serious elbow injury.
First-year Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood again showed he will be a star, kicking four goals.
Midfielder Dayne Zorko also impressed with 30 disposals and two goals, while Alex Witherden was solid off half-back.
Darcy Parish kicked the opening goal of the final quarter inside the first minute and Essendon kept pressing to take a game-high lead of 27 points at four minutes.
But the Lions kept pressing and an improbable four-goal run gave them a six-point lead at 26 minutes.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti tied the scores with an outstanding snapped goal, but Ryan Lester marked and kicked a goal three minutes later to help seal the result.
Michael Hurley and Brendon Goddard were best in an ordinary Essendon performance.