The Sydney Swans suffered their first defeat to Brisbane in three years, going down to the Lions by 26 points in Saturday's season opener in Blacktown.
For the first time since the 2013 NEAFL Grand Final the Lions were victorious over the red and white, running out 17.9 (111) to 12.13 (85) victors at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Originally scheduled at South Pine but moved to BISP due to Queensland's wild weather, Brisbane bought with them an intensity and hunger of which Rhyce Shaw's men couldn't match for at least three quarters.
Despite starting with a flurry, including the opening goal to ruckman Darcy Cameron, the home side went into the quarter-time break two points down after the Lions wrestled back momentum to kick the final three goals of the term.
The Lions then kicked five goals to three in the second quarter, a buffer which proved too great for the NEAFL Swans to peg back despite the best efforts of Brandon Jack and Shaun Edwards through the midfield, Jack Maibaum and Colin O'Riordan in defence and South Aussie duo James Rose and Jordan Dawson up forward.
Rose and Dawson would finish with three goals each.
A further nine goals to six were piled on the other side of the main break which sealed last year's grand finalists' fate.
Coach Rhyce Shaw, while not totally disheartened by the effort, said his players will learn plenty from a well-organised Lions outfit.
“You’re only as good as your last game," Shaw told NEAFL.com.au.
"They structured their game really well and we just couldn’t match that."
Shaw and the NEAFL Swans will return to BISP on Saturday for a second-round clash with Southport where both sides will be hungry for their first win of the season, after the Sharks were defeated on their home deck by Sydney University.
In other results, Canberra Demons kicked off their season in fine style with a strong win at home over Redland.
Reigning premier GWS out-muscled Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium while NT Thunder scored a big win over Aspley in Darwin.
Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans, BISP
BRISBANE 3.3 8.4 13.8 17.9 (111)
SYDNEY 3.1 6.5 10.11 12.13 (85)
GOALS – Brisbane: J Schache 4, J Freeman 3, C Cox, M Hammelmann, S Copland 2, B Grewar, O McInerney, H McCluggage, J Berry. Sydney: J Rose, J Dawson 3, C Sinclair, D Cameron 2, W Gowers, J Foote.
BEST – Brisbane: A Smith, I McIrerney, C Beams, J Berry, M Hinge, J Schache. Sydney: B Jack, J Maibaum, J Dawson, J Rose, S Edwards, C O’Riordan.
