Sydney looked like the premiership fancies at the Gabba on Saturday night and not Brisbane, running and gunning to an upset 31-point win on the back of its exciting crop of youngsters.

After conceding the first three goals of the game, the Swans dismantled Chris Fagan's team, kicking 15 goals across the second and third quarters to run out 19.11 (125) to 14.10 (94) winners.

Debutants Errol Gulden (three goals and three assists from 19 touches), Logan McDonald (three goals) and Braeden Campbell (12 disposals) were major contributors for a Swans team that punished any Brisbane mistake.

Callum Mills' move to the midfield paid instant dividends for John Longmire, as the 23-year-old gathered 29 disposals at a polished 86 percent efficiency and kicked two goals in a best on ground display.

Brisbane looked lethargic. Sydney's 23 marks inside 50 to the Lions' five showed both a lack of attention and an inability to transition following turnovers from the home team.

One positive for the Lions was Harry Sharp. The elite running machine impressed with his dash and looked comfortable on the big stage.

They kicked the final three goals of the game to add a semblance of respectability to the score.The first half was a game of wild fluctuations as both teams traded haymakers that staggered their opponent but couldn't knock them out.

Sydney gained ascendency around the stoppages after its tardy start and slammed on seven successive goals either side of quarter-time to jump to a 25-point lead.

00:33

Back to Back Goals for Bailey

Zac Bailey has started Brisbane's 2021 campaign off in ideal fashion with a pair of running goals to open their encounter with the Swans.

The Lions steadied, with Bailey and the gifted Keidean Coleman leading the way.

Coleman's overhead flick to Jarryd Lyons and sublime snap on his unnatural right foot highlighted the comeback as the teams went to the sheds locked up.

BRISBANE     3.3       8.4       10.7     14.10 (94)

SYDNEY         2.4       8.4       17.6     19.11 (125)


GOALS
Brisbane: Bailey 3, Daniher 2, McCarthy 2, Berry, Coleman, Lyons, McCluggage, McInerney, Hipwood, Zorko
Sydney: Gulden 3, Heeney 3, McDonald 3, Mills 2, Parker 2, Reid 2, Wicks 2, Blakey, Papley


BEST
Brisbane: Bailey, Zorko, McCarthy, Coleman
Sydney: Mills, Gulden, Heeney, Hickey, Rowbottom, McCartin, Hickey

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Mathieson (unused) 
Sydney: Hayward (unused)

Crowd: 22,762 at the Gabba