What a game in the end, my oh my. That’ll do us.

Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you again tomorrow night for Collingwood and Hawthorn’s blockbuster clash at the MCG.

Have a good sleep, footy fans!

“Hurt my ankle in the first quarter but it should be fine, but it’s getting better every week and (I’m) excited to be playing again,” Lohmann told Seven post-win.

“It’s a bit cliched but we just taking one week at a time, sorry!

“But we are in a good spot and just taking it one week and go to Adelaide next week, play in a hostile environment, so hopefully get a win there as well.”

And the conditions?

“It’s slippery! Suited for small blokes like me. An awesome night to have lots of people at the Gabba.”

Hugh McCluggage had a phenomenal game.

In fact, pre-game his coach Chris Fagan told Fox he wouldn’t mind his player getting recognised in the All Australian at some point, but that’s a long way away.

He finished with 41 touches, 20 kicks, 12 score involvements and 557 metres gained.

However, like many footballers, just wanted to talk about his team.

“I got my hands on it a bit more than usual but it was a tough game and they (Essendon) brought their best,” McCluggage told Seven post win.

“The Bombers are six and four, young side and only two less wins than us. So we don’t take them lightly and in the third quarter they came out hard and I’m proud of the group for bouncing back in the last quarter.”

Well, that ended up being a game with plenty of narrative.

It threatened to be a blowout clash after Brisbane lead by 32-points at the first change, but Essendon hung in it.

The Bombers for a brief second took the lead but the Lions stormed home to claim the all-important four points.

Hugh McCluggage was particularly impressive with 41 disposals and 12 score involvements. Meanwhile Kai Lohmann had three goals and Will Ashcroft 30 touches.

For Essendon, it was Jye Caldwell with the standout game, while Nate Caddy had the showstopping goal over his head (one of two majors).

And breath out Brisbane fans, your side have done it.

After a scare in the final quarter – where Essendon managed to take the lead for a second there – the reigning premiers have secured the four points with an 18-point lead.

Noah Answerth with his first goal of the year has sealed the game for Brisbane.

It all started from a great handball from Hugh McCluggage, who is having a cracking game (39 touches).

Lions are now up by three goals with three minutes to go.

A Essendon hurried kick inside 50 was cut off by Dayne Zorko.

Brisbane now have possession back with just three minutes left on the clock. They hold a two-goal lead.

Lions had their two-goal lead as the clock ticks down.

There are some tired bodies out there now as the stadium holds its tension for these final few minutes.

Make that three for Kai Lohmann as Brisbane capitalise on turnover.

The exciting forward launched it from outside the forward arc, yet he had zero doubts as soon as the ball left his foot.

Fingernails being chewed off yet, Brisbane and Essendon fans?

With just under 10 minutes to go, Brisbane hold on to the lead in this see-sawing final term, but by a slim five points.

Levi Ashcroft has come from the ground as Brisbane activate their sub.

Deven Rovertson has come on.

Elijah Tsatas has come on, with the debutant Zak Johnson off for the Bombers.

Logan Morris kept his feet during a frantic bit of play near the Lions’ goals to kick his second major of the evening and give his side back the lead.

Morris couldn’t take the mark but scooped it up as it went to ground and ran it through goals.

Essendon are in front for the first time tonight after trailing by 32 points at first change.

And it’s through a behind from Peter Wright. We could be in for a tense final 14 minutes.

Ben Hobbs was awarded a kick after Dayne Zorko caught him high. It could have given the Bombers the lead for the first time tonight, but the kick fell far short.

Darcy Fort marked it and Brisbane are back with the possession.

Essendon come again, this time through Todd Goldstein (Old-stein who?!).

The set up came from Sam Durham, who stayed composed as he received the ball deep inside 50. He found Goldstein, who finished off the set shot.

It took Essendon just 22 seconds to find their first goal of the final quarter, through Jade Gresham, who’s had a few misses today.

Bombers moved the ball quickly and Gresham finished off the passage with a high snap.

Final quarter, here we go.

Can the Bombers keep up their confidence or will the Lions but their feet down?

Let’s find out.

Well it was all squared for a hot moment there but Brisbane kicked the last two goals of the third quarter to take a 12-point lead into the final change.

While they’ll be happy to regain the two-kick buffer, it’s not quite the 32-point lead they had earlier in the game.

The Lions have had 20 scoring shots to the Bombers’ 13, but have been far less accurate.

That quarter, however, will write itself into the broadcast’s highlight reels after Nate Caddy had one of the goals of the season, kicking it over his head.