IT WAS no surprise to see Chris Fagan beaming after the Brisbane Lions' upset win over Gold Coast on Saturday night, praising his team's heart for overcoming their more fancied rivals.
In his first match in charge, Fagan watched a 47-point lead dwindle to levelled scores, before his men steadied the ship to win by two points.
He said although the Lions would not get carried away with the first-up triumph, there was a lot to like about the showing.
They kicked seven goals in an opening 20-minute ambush and led by 46 at the main break.
"It was very exciting to watch the way we played the game in the fist half," Fagan said.
"The way we moved the ball, and our offence and our defence was just outstanding in the first half as well, to hold a high-scoring team like Gold Coast to three goals.
"If we bring that effort and intent as we did in the first half and we show that spirit we showed, particularly in the dying stages, then by the end of the year we'll be known as a really honest football team, but there's a long way to go."
Gold Coast kicked eight goals to three in the third quarter and then the first three of the last term to draw level.
Fagan said there was no magic dust being sprinkled from the coaches' box to stem the flow, and was happy to heap the credit on his young team.
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"I think it was heart within the group," he said.
"There wasn't anything special we tried to do. We were probably saying Hail Mary's up in the box to tell you the truth.
"The boys steadied, they knew what to do.
"In the end it comes down to heart.
"We were probably lucky to win in the end, but we won and it's great for our group."
While captain Dayne Beams deservedly won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, young fullback Harris Andrews was also among his team's best players.
In an engrossing battle with Suns co-captain Tom Lynch, Andrews had to absorb 74 inside 50s and kept Lynch to three goals.
"What a fantastic battle," Fagan said.
"Lynch is a great player and Harris was part of a backline that had to defend 72 (74) inside 50 entries. I dip my lid to Harris Andrews tonight for the job he did."
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