Charlie Cameron powers Brisbane’s demolition job on Essendon

Brisbane Lions have banished any lingering questions about their depth with a commanding 63-point win over a disappointing Essendon.

Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron celebrates a goal against Essendon at Metricon Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane Lions have banished any lingering questions about their depth with a commanding 63-point win over a disappointing Essendon at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

Electric forward Charlie Cameron booted four goals and set the Lions up early, as did Lachie Neale, who kicked two first-quarter goals and once again found a mountain of footy through the midfield in the 14.7 (91) to 3.10 (28) victory.

The Bombers gave up five goals in the opening term but still only trailed by 20 points at half-time, but a run of four on the trot after the long break blew the game open for Brisbane.

Recalled Lions Alex Witherden and Noah Answerth were outstanding for the home side in defence. Onballer Andrew McGrath fought hard against the odds for Essendon, with veteran defender Michael Hurley another solid contributor.

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Fresh off signing a four-year contract extension, Cameron was at his must-watch best in the first quarter. Charlie did it all. He started with a blown set shot less than 30 seconds in but made up for that shanked miss with a brilliant goal off the ground to give the Lions their second major just minutes later.

The zippy forward then turned villain when a brain-fade handed Devon Smith a 50m penalty and he slotted the Bombers’ first. Just to make sure he headed to the huddle in the good books, Cameron thrilled the small crowd with a volley from the goal square after he outsmarted Mason Redman, then gave him a fearful spray as the Bomber laid flat on his back.

When Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is on, more often than not, he leaves a mark on the scoreboard for Essendon, and puts enormous heat on opposition defenders.

Unfortunately for the Bombers, the lively goalkicker did neither against the Lions, not surprising given he didn’t touch the footy at all in the second half. The only time he caused the statisticians to stir was when he gave away a free kick.

A tight-checking Answerth relished his return to Brisbane’s senior side with a total blanket-job on the dangerous Bomber.

Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood leaps for a mark at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Skinner’s multiple ACL issues kept him out of senior footy since Round 17, 2017, so when he was picked to take on the Bombers, it was just reward for the key forward.

He took some time to work into the match but got his chance early in the second quarter when fellow tall Eric Hipwood found him alone 30m out, dead in front. Skinner missed a shot from a similar spot in the opening term, but calmly eased it home and was mobbed by his 17 teammates.

The major was the first of four in a row for the Lions and the result was beyond doubt.

More importantly, the goal came 1098 days since his last major against North Melbourne almost three years ago.

Promising ruckman Sam Draper went into Round 9 with plenty of eyes on his first game and produced a performance that suggests the Bomber is worth persevering with for the rest of the season.

With Tom Bellchambers stationed as a deep forward, Draper used his athleticism to provide his midfield with a presence around stoppages, and also worked hard at ground level. Draper’s highlight came midway through the third term when he launched and took a towering mark on the back of fellow debutant and opposing ruckman Connor Ballenden.

It wasn’t all bad news for Ballenden, who put his side 45 points up with a neat set shot just before three-quarter time.

AFL umpires have been slammed for the “worst decision of the year” after a questionable holding the ball decision against Essendon star Andrew McGrath.

Close to Brisbane’s goal, McGrath battled with Lions onballer Jarryd Lyons for the ball, collecting it from the turf and battling in the air to win possession.

However, the umpire declared McGrath had dived on the ball and dragged it in, therefore pinging the No 1 pick with a free against during the third term.

It resulted in a goal for the Lions, with fans blowing up at the moment, among other questionable decisions, on social media.

Speaking on Channel 7, Luke Hodge declared the rule hadn’t been judged correctly.

“This is not what this rule is brought in for. He dives in, but he gets up and is trying to fight it out,” he said.

NCA Newswire, Fox Sports