An energetic Brisbane Lions outfit were too good for Sydney in their first official hit-tout of the 2023 preseason, the Lions 15.9.99 defeating the Swans 8.6.54 at Lakeside Oval on Friday afternoon.

The match simulation (4 x 25 minute periods) provided a chance for both teams to blow out the preseason cobwebs and give younger players their first opportunity at senior level.

Lance Franklin played monitored minutes in the second half but was starved of the ball in the Lions third quarter domination, while Issac Heeney, Jake Lloyd and Callum Mills were also on the clock.

It was an evenly matched first half and just a two point game at the main break before a five goal-to-none third term from the Lions blew the game open.

The Swans kicked the first two goals of the final term to bring the margin back to 20 points but the Lions once again kicked away in the final ten minutes to record a 45-point win.

Errol Gulden and Chad Warner were lively for Sydney up forward and in the midfield while some fresh faces had their first taste of AFL level football.

Lachan McAndrew and Will Edwards took plenty from the contest against a quality Lions side.

With Tom Hickey, Pete Ladhams and Hayden McLean not playing, 22-year old McAndrew held his own against Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort and Will Edwards showed his courage in the final term, going back with the flight to take a strong grab.

Post match, Assistant Coach Dean Cox said the side will take plenty from the opportunity to take on a finals side from last year.

"We let ourselves down in the second half against a quality team," Cox said.

"It's good to get that (a game against quality opposition) at this time of the year but Brisbane were too strong around the contests today."

Cox also addressed the side's inability to halt the Lions' momentum, when the visitors scored five unanswered goals in the third term.

"We need to address the ability of when a side gets it, we stop it as quickly as we can, but also when we have it, what is working for us.

"We want to give the players a bit of license to see how they handle it and try get the trends themselves and this is what this part of the season is for, to educate in such scenarios.

Cox also spoke of the young Swans who made their first appearance at senior level.

"Lachlan McAndrew battled well," Cox said.

"When you're playing against number one ruck it was a massive learning curve for him, he's come a long way in a short period of time and today he got to test himself against quality opposition which was pleasing.

"This time of year you can throw people in and see how they go. You want excitement from the youth and give them that opportunity, they will learn from it."

Swans veteran and key forward Sam Reid echoed this sentiment following the game. 

"It's always positive to get minutes in the young players and have them experience a high level of AFL - and against Brisbane who was a top four team last year," Reid said.

As Round 1 draws closer, Cox said the club are continuing to drive high standards to build on some big strides forward last season.

"The constant is we want to drive really high standards, the club and leadership has been really good at it. We just need to make sure what we did last year, we improve on, both as a coaching and playing group."