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 intercept mark 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.

© Brisbane Times