AFL 2025: Lions outlast West Coast in comeback win at the Gabba

Brisbane shrugged off a lightning start from West Coast to continue its premiership defence in the 2025 AFL season with a gritty 19-point win at the Gabba, 14.10 (94) to 11.9 (75), on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles looked set to spoil the party early, booting the first five goals of the game in a blistering opening 15 minutes.

Tyrell Dewar was electric in the surge, kicking two majors and sparking a confident West Coast outfit that stunned the home crowd.

But the Lions didn’t panic. The reigning premiers, fresh off their Round 1 win over Carlton, found their groove after quarter time, gradually grinding their way back into the contest.

Led by skipper Dayne Zorko and ball-magnet Lachie Neale, Brisbane dominated clearances and contested ball in the second half, slamming on 10 goals to three after the main break.

After trailing by 20 points early in the second quarter, Brisbane cut the margin to just two at halftime before taking control in the third.

Will McLachlan’s clutch goal on the run put the Lions in front for the first time, and they never looked back.

Zorko finished with 28 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal in a vintage display, while Neale added 32 touches and helped steer the midfield response.

Up forward, Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood combined for five goals, keeping the scoreboard ticking as the Lions asserted their authority.

Defensively, Harris Andrews was rock solid after quarter-time, holding Oscar Allen goalless following his early impact.

Keidean Coleman and Conor McKenna were also influential off half-back, sparking Brisbane’s transition game.

For West Coast, there were still plenty of positives. Dewar’s early burst showed his X-factor, while Reuben Ginbey and Harley Reid continued their promising development.

But after the first quarter blitz, the Eagles struggled to match Brisbane’s physicality and polish.

The win keeps Brisbane’s record at 2-0, while West Coast falls to 0-2 despite showing glimpses of promise against one of the competition’s benchmarks.

Up next, the Lions verse Geelong at the Gabba, while West Coast will return home for the West Derby.

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