A resilient Brisbane Lions fought back into the contest for the second week in a row, but again could not maintain the effort to fall to a 31-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Saints were given an almighty scare by the Lions in the third quarter, before the Saints were able to settle in the fourth and kick away to win their first match for the season 14.23 (107) to 11.10 (76).
The final margin flattered Alan Richardson's men, who kicked four of the last five goals of the game to cover for what was a wasteful performance in front of goal, kicking 3.6 in the second quarter and 2.6 in the third.
Champion Nick Riewoldt sparked the Saints into action in a remarkable return from a knee injury, covering for his team's midfield losses to finish with 28 possessions, 12 marks and three goals.
The Lions' were superbly led by captain Dayne Beams (30 possessions and a goal) and former skipper Tom Rockliff (28 and 13 clearances), while ruckman Stef Martin (21 disposals and 44 hit-outs) won his battle with Tom Hickey.
Half-back Daniel Rich had a game-high 32 possessions and pushed up the ground to wreak havoc with his long kicking in a classy performance.
The visitors also unveiled prized draftees Hugh McCluggage (14 possessions) and Jarrod Berry (eight and one goal), who both showed signs of their class.
Watch: Daniel Rich from outside 50
Senior Coach Chris Fagan has been working with his players on the importance of rebounding from mistakes, and he got a good indication of his progress on that front on Sunday.
The Lions put in their worst 20 minutes of football for the season in the second quarter, repeatedly turning the ball over, fumbling and handballing to teammates under pressure.
They conceded 3.5 in that period and looked destined for a heavy loss, but showed resilience and turned the tide, finishing the quarter with their best 10 minutes of the first half.
Mitch Robinson and Josh Schache each took marks inside 50 – the team's first two for the game – and converted set shots, while Dayne Zorko kicked a magnificent goal on the run from outside 50.
They entered the half-time break trailing by 18 points, but at least having shown that the calamitous football of the previous 20 minutes wasn't all they could produce.
It proved a turning point in the match, which turned from a one-sided eye sore to a compelling arm-wrestle in the second half as the Lions continued their run.
Fagan's men were more accountable in defence and more direct with the ball in their hands, growing in belief with every passing minute.
Debutant Berry had his big moment when he converted a 45m set shot that cut the margin to six points.
When Mitch Robinson took advantage of a St Kilda turnover and ran in to snap the Lions' sixth consecutive goal the visitors had the lead for the first time all day.
Typically it was Riewoldt who led the Saints' response and they entered the final break with an eight-point lead but plenty of work to do to see off the gutsy Lions.
