For all but two moments in arguably the most enthralling opening-round contests the AFL has produced, Charlie Cameron had fulfilled his mid-week promise that he was back with a vengeance.
But for two costly misses, he would have been the hero who delivered the Brisbane Lions a victorious start to their premiership defence.
Instead, he was left clinging to his head as the Western Bulldogs managed an incredible escape to overcome a late 26-point deficit to emerge 16.11 (111) to 15.16 (108) victors at the Gabba.
Cameron looked fast, energetic and eager to get involved in a way he hadn’t throughout a 2025 season of scrutiny – in which the 32 goals he kicked were his fewest since the shortened COVID-19 season of 2020.
His four-goal heroics on grand final day reminded both him and the pundits of what he could still do, and those feats were replicated on Saturday night.
It was the small forward’s quickfire double in the second quarter that gave the Lions just a little bit of breathing space against their rivals, who had squandered several opportunities and kicked just 2.7 in the opening term.
That pair came courtesy of a brilliant mark on the run deep inside 50 and a strong chasing tackle that earned a free kick.
Cameron’s third came shortly after, when he capitalised on some crisp handball work – Cam Rayner heavily involved – to cut through the defence and snap the Sherrin between the sticks, before punting a long-range final-term effort.
“He was dangerous, he was clearly our best forward,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“He was very creative, got scores himself, and set scores up for others – he was giving them a fair bit of trouble, so he’s in good form to start the year.”
Cameron’s enthusiasm was infectious, as his prodigies Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris kicked five second-half goals between them to seemingly extinguish the Bulldogs fight. That was until five maximums either side of the final break gave their rivals enough life to continue the job.
“It was those two goals they got just before three-quarter time I reckon that gave them hope. We played a great quarter and then just let a couple through in red time, and they got their tails up and sniffed an opportunity,” Fagan said.
“Against the Bulldogs, you want to win territory. We won territory. You want to win contested possession. We won contested possession. Clearances, we won by five. We had 13 more inside 50s, but they were able to take the ball into their forward line, and 62 per cent of the time, they were able to score – we were 49 per cent by comparison.
“That set of statistics is a good set against the Bulldogs, so you take heart from that.”
Those two Cameron misses, however, came in the tightest of final-quarter scenarios.
The first came when Brisbane led by just three points, with the Bulldogs making a meal of a clearance out of trouble. Ty Gallop’s infield snap was spoilt in a contest, and as the ball dribbled towards goal, it appeared all Cameron needed to do was get a toe to it.
A slight deviation on the bounce put him in two minds – both grabbing at it and trying to kick it – which resulted in a behind. The Bulldogs would march down field, and Ed Richards – phenomenal all night with 30 disposals and 16 score involvements – kicked his second goal to hit the front.
Then with the scores level, Cameron’s close-range shot – seemingly with plenty of time to nail it – sailed wide. Once again, Brisbane’s rivals charged on and retook the lead through Tim English.
They were not the only opportunities the Lions would like back, with Cameron hardly to blame for what was a ferocious effort from their foes – led by Richards (two goals) and Marcus Bontempelli (three).
But despite that passage, Cameron issued a warning that his best days were not behind him, having only reached the 15-disposal mark once last year, as he probed further into the midfield to support his teammates.
The Lions will now be sweating on the availability of co-captain Harris Andrews, who may have a case to answer to the Match Review Officer after his elbow collected Arthur Jones in the head, with the Bulldog taking no further part in the contest.
The unflappable Hugh McCluggage also left the field in the opening stanza with a calf strain, and his composure in the frantic last stand – despite Lachie Neale contributing a match-high 39 disposals in the midfield – may have changed things. But as Fagan alluded to, Brisbane had their chances.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
