Last-placed Brisbane Lions kicked the last four goals of a Gabba thriller to pull off a massive AFL upset over Carlton on Saturday.

The Lions produced a near-miracle fourth-quarter comeback for just their second victory of the season – a 14.14 (98) to 13.13 (91) win.

A crowd of 24,625 celebrated wildly as the locals managed to drag themselves off the canvas.

Brisbane lost ruckman Trent West to a serious knee injury in the second quarter and from there Carlton’s Robbie Warnock dominated the stoppages.

But the Blues failed to close out the game after grinding their way to a 16-point lead midway through the final term.

Claye Beams started the fightback with a 50m goal from the boundary line before Jonathan Brown, largely well held by Sam Rowe, stepped up to slot his third of the match.

But it was an act of headless play that Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will rue most with hot-headed Jarrad Waite handing the home side the lead when he gave away a 50m free kick for pushing Tom Rockliff.

Debutant Zac O’Brien slotted the goal for a three-point lead with six minutes left.

Malthouse’s frustrations were fuelled further when Chris Yarran was denied a leaping chest mark in the goalsquare and goalsneak Josh Green pounced.

Both Yarran, who was reported for striking Pearce Hanley, and Andrejs Everitt fluffed chances to hit back and the Lions held on.

Warnock revelled at the stoppages – finishing with 57 hit-outs – with Brisbane ruckman Trent West suffering a serious knee injury as Carlton surged immediately after the first change.

West fell awkwardly in contesting a throw-in and the Lions had to resort to using an outgunned Daniel Merrett.