The Lions did the damage in the first half, kicking eight goals to one, before an even second half saw them run out 12.13 (85) to 6.1 (37) winners.
Maddy Prespakis was assessed for knee soreness earlier in the week yet showed no signs of injury. The former Bombers best and fairest worked hard all day and finished with a game-high 30 disposals, four tackles, and five clearances.
Dakota Davidson looks set for another big season up forward, kicking three first-half goals before finishing with four. Davidson was supported inside 50 by Cathy Svarc and Neasa Dooley, who each kicked two goals.
The early stages of the first quarter were somewhat of an armwrestle. Neither team was able to establish consistent chains of possession, and Brisbane's connection during its early entries inside 50 looked slightly off kilter.
The Lions generated repeat forward entries on the back of some strong tackling pressure, and Essendon's defence could only hold up for so long. Davidson opened the scoring in the sixth minute, dribbling one home after finding space at the back of a contest.
The visitors continued to hit the scoreboard early, with Charlotte Mullins and Dooley adding majors in quick succession. Davidson slotted a second with a kick around the corner from deep in the forward pocket. The key forward could have had a third five minutes later after taking a sliding chest mark on the lead, but the kick faded right.
Brisbane limited the home side to just four inside 50s in the opening quarter, with its back five negating any thrusts forward from the home side. Prespakis sprayed a set shot after the quarter-time siren, meaning the Bombers went into the first break without troubling the scorers.
Maddison Gay copped a knock in the early stages of the second quarter but remained on the field despite medical staff making their way onto the field. The Lions peppered their forward 50 throughout the quarter (13 entries to six) but were unable to take full advantage of said entries early.
Bonnie Toogood, playing in her 75th game, opened the scoring for the home side in the eighth minute of the second quarter. The skipper kicked truly from a tight angle, earning much deserved cheers from the Essendon faithful.
The crowd's excitement was short lived, however, with Cathy Svarc responding quickly for the Lions after a fast break form the middle of the ground. Davidson added a third and Svarc snagged a second – both goals the result of finding space behind the contest – as the Lions took an eight-goal lead into the main break.Â
The ball lived inside Brisbane's forward half for much of the third quarter, with the Lions holding a high defensive line to maintain pressure on the Essendon defenders in their attempts to clear the ball.
Jade Ellenger was a prominent part of the maroon and gold wall, finishing with 23 disposals (12 contested possessions), four marks, and seven inside 50s.
After missing all of last season with an ACL, Emily Gough gave the home crowd something to cheer about late in the third, bending one home in the shadows of the Reynolds Stand.
Bombers debutants Maggie Johnstone (10 disposals, five contested possessions, and two clearances) and Nalu Brothwell (10 disposals, three contested possessions, and four tackles) didn't shy away from the action. Brothwell provided silver service to Sophie Alexander ahead of the 33-year-old's second goal, finding the forward with a beautiful lace out pass.
Brisbane’s debutant Marlo Graham also shone in her first game at the top level, collecting 19 disposals, four clearances, three tackles, and a goal.
A change is as good as a holiday
During his press conference earlier this week, Brisbane senior coach Craig Starcevich discussed how his side had lost each of its round one clashes over the past three seasons, and how he hoped that getting the group on the road would evoke an "us against them" mentality to buck that trend. Getting away from Brighton Homes Arena definitely seemed to do the trick, with the Lions proving too strong for Essendon on a sunny afternoon at Windy Hill.
A fruitful return
Injury meant Emily Gough missed the entirety of the 2025 AFLW season, but if there were nerves ahead of her return to the field they certainly didn't show. Playing in just her sixth game, the 20-year-old sent the Essendon faithful wild with a curling kick from close to the boundary that ended up splitting the middle. Gough finished the day with seven disposals and four marks, but will take huge confidence from getting through the game unscathed.
Up next
Brisbane will welcome North Melbourne to Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night, in what should be an enticing Grand Final rematch. Meanwhile, Essendon heads north to play Sydney at the SCG on Sunday, kicking off at 12.30pm AEST. The Bombers and Swans game is the first of a double-header, with the AFL (men's) clash between Sydney and North Melbourne to follow in the afternoon.
ESSENDONÂ Â Â Â Â Â 0.0Â Â Â Â 1.0Â Â Â Â 4.0Â Â Â Â Â Â 6.1 (37)
BRISBANEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.2Â Â Â Â 8.6Â Â Â Â 10.9Â Â Â Â 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Essendon: Toogood 2, Alexander 2, Gough, Belloni
Brisbane: Davidson 4, C.Svarc 2, Dooley 2, R.Svarc, Peters, Mullins, Graham
BESTÂ
Essendon: Prespakis, Gay, Toogood, Nanscawen
Brisbane: Ellenger, Davidson, Graham, Williamson
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
LATE CHANGESÂ
Essendon: Nil
Brisbane: Courtney Hodder replaced in selected side by Shanae Davison
Reports:Â Nil
Crowd:Â TBC at Windy Hill
