Lions fight back to deny Essendon the ‘upset of the year’

Premiers Brisbane have survived an inspired challenge from injury-ravaged Essendon to climb to the top of the AFL ladder.

Brisbane has survived an inspired challenge from injury-ravaged Essendon to climb to the top of the AFL ladder with an 18-point win on Thursday night.

It was a brave fightback from the Bombers after coughing up six of the first seven goals of the match at the Gabba.

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Young Bomber Nate Caddy’s breakout game sparked an Essendon fightback in the third term as the visitors drew level.

“Not a person in Australia would have given them a hope at quarter time,” Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown said.

Dubbing it potentially the “upset of the year” as Peter Wright gave the Bombers the lead early in the fourth, in the end Brisbane’s experience got them across the line with a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) victory.

Noah Answerth (left) and Hugh McCluggage celebrate during the Lions’ comeback. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The reigning premiers now sit half a game clear of Collingwood, who have a game in hand, and six points clear of the third-placed Suns who have played two less games.

“I think Chris Fagan would be really disappointed about the Lions tonight,” three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt said.

“They get the points and roll on.”

The highlight of the night was Caddy’s goal of the year contender in the wet conditions.

Only minutes after a horror miss, Caddy more than made up for that effort with a stunning goal.

With Jade Gresham keeping the ball alive from the boundary, Caddy was able to gather the footy and instead of attempting to turn around he simply opted to kick the footy over his head.

“It’s a miraculous goal from the young man and we’re all square at the Gabba,” Fox Footy’s Matt Hill said.

“A Thursday night speccy!”

Nate Caddy had a night out for the Bombers. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The goal ensured scores were level for the first time since early in the first term.

“How good is that?” Riewoldt said. “He took the big contested mark only about 10 minutes ago and ran into the open goal and missed it.

“I love this. I don’t know whether this is conventional, but we love it from this Bombers young gun.

“The kick over the head. He absolutely flushed it. The nous to even think about doing it at that point in time.

“Is this the arrival of Nate Caddy?”

It wasn’t quite enough for the visitors, but it ended up being a promising performance from the Bombers against the ladder leaders.

Originally published as Lions fight back to deny Essendon the ‘upset of the year’