AFL Gather Round Western Bulldogs v Brisbane: Eric Hipwood leads Lions to comeback victory in game of the season

The Bulldogs were in control at Norwood Oval on Saturday – then Eric Hipwood and the Lions flicked the switch, resulting in one of the games of the season.

Reigning premier Brisbane has won a Gather Round nailbiter over the Western Bulldogs, remarkably booting 11 of the last 14 goals at Norwood Oval to claim a thrilling 19-point victory in one of the games of the season.

The Lions trailed by 39 points early in the third quarter after a seven to one goal second term by the Bulldogs, led by star key forwards Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton, but produced one of the comebacks of the season to get themselves back in the game and eventually win 18.10 (118) to 14.13 (97) in front of a raucous crowd.

Led by the crafty Zac Bailey and dominant target forward Eric Hipwood, the Lions would respond by booting seven to two goals in the third term to trail 78-72 at the final break before kicking the first three goals of the fourth quarter behind livewire Callum Ah Chee as well as forwards Logan Morris (four goals) and Eric Hipwood (five goals).

Eric Hipwood led the Lions comeback. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

The Dogs, who lost James Harmes early in the first term to a foot injury, showed grit to kick back into the game in the final term through goals from Matt Kennedy and Bailey Williams, but the red-hot Lions would ultimately be too strong and slick and damaging disposal would see them hold the lead.

The Lions ultimately smashed the Dogs in the clearance battle (52-34) as star onballers Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage all produced their best footy at just the right time to ensure repeat inside 50s and opportunities for Hipwood, Morris, Bailey and Ah Chee.

The win marks the fifth come from behind victory for Brisbane as the 2024 premier continues to find a way to emerge victorious, the Lions improving to 5-0 on the season.

On the other side of the affair, the Bulldogs will be sweating on the fitness of James Harmes after he was seen in a moonboot after the game.

Harmes reportedly showed foot awareness before the game and was unable to play past the opening minutes, failing to record a touch before being subbed out for rookie James Dolan.

Jason Johannisen gets away from Zac Bailey. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

HIPWOOD’S INSPIRATIONAL TERM

Relatively quiet in the first two quarters, Eric Hipwood emerged as the potential hero for Brisbane in the third quarter at Norwood Oval.

The key target was unstoppable against the Dogs defence, impacting the game around the ground, taking three big contested marks and kicking three important goals to drag his Lions side back into the contest.

He would then add two more goals in the final quarter to mark a sensational performance.

A sun-baked Norwood over turned it on. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

And it turned out to be quite the night. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

AH CHEE’S MAGICAL SEALER

With the Lions leading by just eight points with five minutes to play, Callum Ah Chee marked a pinpoint Charlie Cameron delivery inside 50 on the boundary and calmly went back to slot an inch-perfect set-shot to give his side an ultimately insurmountable lead.

The goal put was the cream on top of a sensational second half by the reigning premier.

Cal Ah Chee with the drop punt from the boundary 👏#AFLDogsLionspic.twitter.com/Z2fr5IMD2t

— AFL (@AFL) April 12, 2025

DOG ROOKIE’S INSTANT IMPACT

James Dolan subbed on early in the clash for the injured James Harmes and kicked-off what would be a fantastic second quarter for the Dogs with his first shot on goal.

The Rookie impressively won the footy in an inside 50 contest and snapped truly to record his first AFL goal, the first of seven for his side in the term.

It would not be enough as the Lions eventually overran a gutsy Bulldogs side.

Cam Rayner celebrates a goal in front of Lions fans. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Lachie Neale and Tom Liberatore go at it. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Scoreboard

Western Bulldogs 2.4, 9.8, 11.12, 14.13 (97)

Brisbane Lions 3.3, 4.5, 11.6, 18.10 (118)

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Rhylee West, Tom Liberatore, Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton, Lachlan Bramble, Tim English

Brisbane: Eric Hipwood, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris,

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Naughton (3), Darcy (2), Bramble, Davidson, Dolan, Freijah, Kennedy, McNeil, Sanders, West, Williams

Brisbane: Hipwood (5), Morris (4), Bailey (3), Ah Chee (2), Rayner (2), Ashcroft, Wilmot

VOTES

3 Eric Hipwood

2 Lachie Neale

1 Zac Bailey

Originally published as AFL Gather Round Western Bulldogs v Brisbane: Eric Hipwood leads Lions to comeback victory in game of the season