Essendon has survived a storming second half by the Brisbane Lions to make it two-from-two with a 27-point victory at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The Bombers looked home when they led by 42 points late in the second term, but the new-look Lions wouldn't roll over.
Eric Hipwood gave the home team the lead early in the last quarter with his second goal, before the Bombers steadied, kicking the game's final five goals to win 17.9 (111) to 12.12 (84).
Orazio Fantasia put his team back in front for the final time, kicking the fourth of his five goals at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter.
Kyle Langford, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, David Zaharakis and Fantasia (after the siren) kicked further goals to blow the scoreline out.
It didn't reflect how close the contest was, but the Bombers must be commended on their composure and ability to run the game out.
Jobe Watson (34 disposals) was magnificent in his second game back, while Zach Merrett (32) was involved in most things good from the Bombers.
While Fantasia was a livewire in the front half, Joe Daniher (three goals) and Cale Hooker (two) continued to provide strong targets and form a dangerous partnership.
The Bombers' first half was blistering, with eight unanswered goals either side of quarter-time blowing the game open.
The slick ball movement was too much for the Lions to handle, as they quickly transitioned from the back-half to the forward line to create a plethora of chances.
But the Lions wouldn't go away - they are a different team in 2017 under Chris Fagan.
After kicking the final two goals of the second quarter to reduce the margin to 29 points, they upped their intensity significantly after half-time.
Stefan Martin began to have his way around the stoppages, while skipper Dayne Beams (33 touches) was again highly influential in the six goals to two quarter.
The Lions had just 21 tackles in the first half, but cranked out 24 in the third term alone, as well as dominating the clearances 15-8 to cut the lead to just five points.
Eric Hipwood uncorked a spectacular left footed effort and Dayne Zorko matched it on the siren with a 45m gem off the outside of his right boot, as the Lions roared back.
BRISBANE LIONS 3.2 5.6 11.9 12.12 (84)
ESSENDON 4.2 10.5 12.8 17.9 (111)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Close 2, Beams 2, Hipwood 2, Rich, Robinson, Taylor, Andrews, Lester, Zorko
Essendon: Fantasia 5, Daniher 3, Hooker 2, Zaharakis 2, Colyer, Merrett, Goddard, Langford, McDonald-Tipungwuti
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Beams, Martin, Zorko, Rockliff, Hipwood, Cutler
Essendon: Merrett, Watson, Fantasia, Heppell, Goddard, Colyer
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Jeffery, Stephens, Fisher
Official crowd: 21,749 at the Gabba
