Brisbane beat Sydney as recruits Dunkley, Gunston star

Gunston was a constant marking target inside 50 and instantly made the Lions a more threatening outfit, slotting 3.2 playing alongside power forwards Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood.

The Lions slotted five goals to none in the third term at Moore Park in Sydney and fans would have been licking their lips watching their scintillating football, some sweeping team moves capped off by their potent forward line.

No.2 draft pick Will Ashcroft immediately looked a star in the making, going to the midfield for the second half and shining with a number of centre clearances, the son of three-time premiership Lion Marcus making the strongest possible case to debut in round one.

Dunkley and Neale were prolific and Brisbane's midfield stocks will only be improving, Dayne Zorko and Jarrod Lyons both missing the practice run with injuries but expected to be fit for round one.

Neale copped a big knock in the third quarter and appeared to be holding his arm as well as shaking off a leg cork, but played through any pain.

Irishman Conor McKenna looked to have lost none of his dash on his return to AFL, the former Essendon former providing drive off half-back although he lacked precision by foot.

Beaten grand finalists Sydney looked the same well-oiled that stormed to last season's decider early, but couldn't match it when the Lions went up through the gears in the second half.

Errol Gulden had goaled in just 17 seconds for the Swans, with Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney continuing their strong 2022 form.

Intercepting defender Aaron Francis was quiet in his first game after crossing from Essendon, slotting into a backline role.

Monster 209cm ruckman Lachie McAndrew competed well as he searched for an AFL debut in his third season on the Swans' list, while

The Swans were missing a string of first-grade talents including Tom Papley, Nick Blakey, Tom Hickey and Robbie Fox.