The Lions booted 10 goals to three after half-time to run out 10-point winners - 16.9 (105) to 14.11 (95). It proved an important victory for the Lions' confidence considering they had lost their past two encounters by less than a kick.
The loss dropped the Thunder to fifth place and opened the door slightly for the Lions to make a late charge at the finals.
It always appeared a danger game for the Thunder when inspirational skipper Jarred Ilett was a late withdrawal alongside the well-performed Jake Dignan.
But Thunder star Cameron Ilett put on a master class, winning possession at will and booting four first half goals to help his side for a 30-point lead at half-time.
However, the Lions were able to erase the deficit in 30 minutes on the back of a sensational third term by key forward Bryce Retzlaff and midfielder Travis Johnstone.
Strong key forward Aaron Cornelius, who was surprisingly chopped from the Lions senior side, kept his side in the game with three early goals when his side deserved to be much further behind.
With the Thunder leading 11.4 to 6.4 at the long break, the change that came over the game was sudden and unexpected.
Retzlaff had hardly been sighted in the first half but marked everything that came his way in the third term and helped his side level the score at the last change.
He was ably supported by young top-up player Josh Breukers, who provided the avenue to goal across half-forward on the odd occasion when Retzlaff didn’t have the ball.
Johnstone imposed himself on the game in the middle, winning plenty of clearances and chopping off any Thunder counter-punches a kick behind the play.
It was Johnstone who put his side in front for the first time with a calm set shot in the fourth quarter after the Thunder had missed at the other end.
Jesse O’Brien then nailed a brilliant snap to make the margin 11 points, and the Thunder were gone when Cornelius marked strongly and booted his fifth.
It was a fine effort by the Lions considering they were whittled down to 15 listed players on match morning and lost Bart McCulloch in the opening half.
Vice-Captain Jed Adcock made a successful return after spending the past eight weeks on the sidelines with a foot injury while Claye Beams was probably the team's best player in the first half.
The pressure is now on the Thunder as they face a return trip to Queensland to face the revitalized Aspley on Saturday, while the Lions have a tough contract at Mt Gravatt next Sunday.
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Lions 3.3 6.4 12.6 16.9
NT Thunder 5.1 11.4 12.6 14.11
GOALS - Lions: A. Cornelius 5, B. Retzlaff 3, C. Beams 2, J. Bruekers , B. McCaulay , T. Johnstone , J. Dyson , J. O''Brien , B. McCulloch. Thunder: C. Ilett 5, D. Ewing 3, D. Munkara , Z. SKINNER , K. Tyrrell , W. Kossack , S. Tapp , B. Palipuaminni.
BEST - Lions: T. Johnstone, J. Adcock, B. Retzlaff, C. Beams, S. Yoshiura, T. Selwood. Thunder: K. Tyrrell, C. Ilett, B. Goodes, W. Kossack, D. Ewing, Z. Skinner.
