GREATER Western Sydney has defeated the Brisbane Lions by 39 points at Metricon Stadium in their NAB Challenge clash on Sunday.
Both teams will be sweating on the verdict of the Match Review Panel however, with Dayne Zorko and Jeremy Cameron both reported.
Zorko was reported for striking Phil Davis, while Cameron found himself in the book for a late bump on Rhys Mathieson. Mathieson didn't return to the field after the hit.
WATCH: Cameron & Zorko Reported
Mathieson was groggy and taken from the field immediately and did not return.
The medical team are assessing Mathieson's facial injury that he received during the game. They're hopeful he'll be right for Round 1
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) March 13, 2016
It didn't worry the young Greater Western Sydney star too much though, as he kicked three goals in the following five minutes to give his team breathing space in the 1.17.11 (122) to 2.9.11 (83) victory.
It was a dirty day for the Lions with young forward Jaden McGrath assisted from the field in the first quarter holding his shoulder and collarbone after a heavy collision with Toby Greene.
McGrath was taken from the ground for an X-ray and took no further part in the game.
Leppitsch: Jaden McGrath's injury isn't as bad as we thought. Mathieson is still being assessed #NABChallenge pic.twitter.com/9kgYAWYKYs
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) 13 March 2016
WATCH: Justin Leppitsch Post Match
Aside from Cameron's report, the Giants will enter their season opener against Melbourne in a fortnight full of confidence, despite a raft of back-half turnovers that kept the Lions in the hunt.
They trailed by 17 points at quarter-time but kicked 11 goals to four in the next two terms to get on top in the greasy conditions.
Heath Shaw often played loose and controlled the game from half-back with his 29 disposals, while Josh Kelly (32 touches) was the class of a rounded midfield effort.
Former Cat Steve Johnson only played a half, but was brilliant and clearly the most dangerous forward on the field, kicking three goals.
Dylan Shiel (26), Callan Ward (23) and Ryan Griffen (24) were all strong, while Jack Steele (26 touches and 11 tackles) also put in an eye-catching display.
For the Lions, Zorko's report blotted an excellent showing, finishing with 25 disposals and 13 tackles, while Daniel Rich had 28, kicked a supergoal and set up two other goals.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Brisbane Lions: While they're still looking for key forwards, the key defensive posts seem reasonably settled. With Daniel Merrett holding down full-back and 2015 revelation Harris Andrews looking every bit as settled as last year, Dan McStay looks like joining them in a strong key defensive unit. McStay has swung between both ends of the ground in his first two seasons, but was strong against Jeremy Cameron – who kicked his goals once McStay was moved.
Greater Western Sydney: After a solid second season, young midfielder Josh Kelly looks ready to take his game to an even higher level in 2016. When most players on the ground were bumbling and fumbling in the slippery weather, Kelly was clean and all class. He finished with 32 disposals, 14 contested, at 75 per cent efficiency. With Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel and Ryan Griffen alongside him, the 21-year-old might just sneak under a few opposition guards this season.
NEW FACES
Brisbane Lions: Carlton recruit Tom Bell continued his impressive pre-season, finishing with 16 disposals and two goals in a role that mixed time in the midfield and half-forward. Former North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Bastinac was a little rusty in his first hit-out in new colours, but battled hard for four quarters to rack up 22 disposals and will be a certainty to play round one. No.2 draft pick Josh Schache was quiet but kicked his first goals in a Lions guermsey, while fellow draftee Rhys Mathieson had six disposals before being taken off after Cameron's high bump in the third term.
Greater Western Sydney: He only played a half, but Steve Johnson showed just why the Giants recruited him with a dazzling performance. The former Geelong superstar kicked three goals and looked dangerous every time the ball went inside the forward 50. After 253 games, one half was plenty for Stevie J to tune up for round one.
NEXT UP
The Lions start their 2016 campaign with one of the toughest trips in the game, flying six hours west to take on last year's runner-up West Coast. Greater Western Sydney will start its bid to make a debut finals series when playing Melbourne at the MCG in the opening round.
BRISBANE LIONS 1.3.3 1.5.5 2.6.9 2.9.11 (83)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.2.1 1.7.2 1.12.6 1.17.11 (122)
NAB SUPERGOALS
Brisbane Lions: Andrews, Rich
Greater Western Sydney: Mumford
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Lester 2, Bell 2, Walker, Taylor, Schache, Robertson, Cutler
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Johnson 3, Smith 2, Lobb, Palmer, Tomlinson, Whitfield, Ward, Steele, Scully, Griffen
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Rich, Bell, Robinson, McStay
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Shaw, Steele, Shiel, Davis, Ward
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: McGrath (collarbone), Mathieson (head)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Jeremy Cameron reported for rough play in third quarter; Dayne Zorko reported for striking Phil Davis in third quarter
Umpires: Bannister, Stevic, Fleer, Mitchell
Official crowd: 1504 at Metricon Stadium