A Brisbane forward was expected to dominate Essendon in their AFL round two clash at the Gabba - but not Daniel Bradshaw.

All eyes were on Lions champion Jonathan Brown before the first bounce thanks to his impressive record against the Bombers, averaging five goals from his last three games against Essendon.

While Brown was still menacing with three goals, the limelight was stolen by Bradshaw who detonated with five majors - the same amount Brisbane managed as a team in last round's 77 point shellacking at the hands of Geelong.

He helped Brisbane break its winning duck with a 17.13 (115) to 15.7 (97) victory.

Slotted into full forward by Lions coach Leigh Matthews as a direct result of the Cats mauling, Bradshaw helped Brisbane wipe away memories of the opening round debacle by maintaining its hoodoo on Essendon.

Brisbane has now won 10 of its last 11 games against Essendon.

The Bombers - who looked so good when they downed defending champions Sydney last weekend - have not beaten the Lions since round 16 in 2003 and have not won at the Gabba since round six in 2000.

Brisbane's inspirational midfielder Luke Power also had three goals while ruckman Jamie Charman added a double and Simon Black finished with 33 touches.

Also impressive for Brisbane was 18-year-old debutant Rhan Hooper who belied his years by running the Bombers ragged and bagging a goal with just his second kick in AFL footy.

It was also the first game for Wayde Mills, taking the total of Brisbane debutants this season to four as Matthews rebuilds his three-time premiership club in 2006.

Bombers skipper Matthew Lloyd - who bagged eight against Sydney last week - had four and impressive forward Angus Monfries helped himself to five majors.

Essendon - without inspirational James Hird (calf) - came into the final break trailing 12.13 (85) to 10.3 (63) but didn't threaten in the fourth quarter until it was too late.

Consecutive goals by Monfries and Lloyd cut the deficit to within a handful of kicks but time ran out for the battling Bombers.

The Bombers went to the main break with a 7.0 clean sheet, the first time they had gone to a halftime break without a behind since round seven in 1998.

But Essendon's goal run was broken in the opening minutes of the third quarter when Brent Stanton kicked a behind.

Both sides traded goals but two majors from Bradshaw proved the difference as the Lions roared to a 22 point three quartertime lead.

Earlier, two goals within 10 minutes from Power helped the Lions steady and enjoy a 7.9 (51) to 7.0 (42) halftime buffer.

Despite Brisbane coming out with all guns blazing, Essendon had landed the first two goals in the first 10 minutes in an ominous start.

But that only seemed to fire up Brisbane who bagged majors through Justin Sherwin, Brown and Hooper within 10 minutes.

Bradshaw goaled on the siren to blow the deficit out to 4.5 (29) to 2.0 (12) by the first break.

In another worry for Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy, David Hille was reported for striking Mitchell Clark early in the fourth quarter.

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