That was a high-octane quarter as the two sides traded running, weaving moves into attack.
It will increasingly be about which side can kick accurately, both at goals and around the field, and which club can be most efficient and not feed turnovers to the other team.
Charlie Cameron of the Lions attempts a big mark over Liam Jones of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos
Hipwood worked to the front of the pack, shrugged of Jones and took a mark at the top of the square.
He kicked the easily goal despite protests from Jones that he had been impeded.
Lions 27, Dogs 24 with a minute left in Q1.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has created a goal from nothing after snapping the ball out of the pack and watching it drift into the goals.
Ugle-Hagan has kicked two goals in the opening term. He kicked five against the Lions last year.
Dogs 24, Lions 21 with two mins to go in Q1.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.Credit: AFL Photos
Eric Hipwood has pulled in a mark and kicked the goal to put his side ahead.
Accuracy is king for the Lions if they want to win this match.
Lions 21, Dogs 18 with two mins to go in Q1.
The Lions are all running to Joe Daniher after he snapped a goal from the right boundary line.
His sets shots can be a challenge but the Lions forward loves the chance to drop the ball across his foot, even when he was tackled as he kicked.
Dogs 18, Lions 15 with four mins to go in Q1.
Marcus Bontempelli continues to fire and he has marked and then snapped an excellent goal from the right boundary to extend the lead.
Jarrod Berry was tagging Bontempelli but he has gone to the bench and the Dogs skipper has run free.
Earlier on, Joe Daniher just took a great mark but missed his shot at goal.
Chris Fagan noted earlier tonight that the Lions had to take their chances.
In the meantime, Channel Seven reported that Dogs defender Alex Keath had gone down to the rooms for a HIA test. Hopefully he returns.
Dogs 18, Lions 9 with seven mins to go in Q1.
We are barely two minutes into the game and Libba has already made his presence felt, and not in the best way.
In his first game back from a concussion layoff, he had the first clearance from the centre of the ground, but was then involved in an ugly exchange with Jarrod Berry after teammate Adam Treloar had kicked the game’s first goal.
Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs and Jarrod Berry of the Lions clash.Credit: Getty Images
Libba grabbed Berry’s jumper at the neck and gave two forceful jumper punches that seemed to go close to whacking Berry on the chin.
It might not be looked at favourably by the MRO.
The umpires paid a free kick against the nuggety Bulldog midfielder, that was taken in the centre of the ground by the Lions.
Lions 7, Dogs 6 with 14 mins to go in Q1.
Former Bulldog Josh Dunkley has intercepted a kick in from Bailey Dale and booted a goal from the kick.
Lions 7, Dogs 6 with 16 mins to go in Q1.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
SMH
