The Lions produced some quality football through the first 45 minutes of the game and led by 17 minutes midway through the second quarter, before the Thunder burst to life.
Just as they have done to every QAFL or NEAFL club that has visited TIO Stadium over the past three years, the Thunder kicked goals in quick bursts and skipped away to a 19.15 (129) to 12.10 (82) victory.
There were some good signs for the Lions, however, with Andrew Raines preventing Thunder star Cameron Ilett from wielding any influence on the game and gaining plenty of possession himself.
Patrick Karnezis continued his fine form in front of goal, kicking four and providing a constantly moving target.
Ryan Harwood continued his outstanding season when with the reserves by burrowing into every pack and Rohan Bewick responded to playing in the Seconds with a busy display in the midfield.
Broc McCauley gave his midfielders first use of the ball all night in the absence of star NT Thunder big man Kenrick Tyrrell, who has fluid on the knee.
With Ryan Harwood busy in the middle, Xavier Clarke showing plenty of sparkle early and Aaron Cornelius kicking or setting up goals, the Lions jumped out to an 8.2 to 5.3 lead before the Thunder powered back.
They blasted five goals in eight minutes, with Jake Dignan dominant around the clearances and the elusive Ross Tungatalum busy across half-forward.
The entire team lifted a cog and only a goal on the halftime siren to Bewick, who had been busy for the Lions, got the visitors back to within 13 points at the main break.
There was no stopping the Thunder in the third term, keeping the Lions scoreless for the opening 15 minutes while piling on 4.3 themselves, effectively ending the contest.
Raines and Harwood kept persisting for the Lions but they didn’t have the depth to match the Thunder, who are a perfect 10 wins from 10 games this season.
Dignan and former Western Bulldogs draftee Shane Thorne matched the Lions in the midfield and with Tungatalum contributing five goals and a number of assists, their perfect record was never in question.
The loss was a tough one for the Lions, who are now two games adrift of the top five.
SCOREBOARD
NT Thunder 5.3 11.3 15.8 19.15 (129)
Brisbane Lions 6.2 9.2 10.5 12.10 (82)
GOALS - NT Thunder: R. Tungatalum 5, D. Ewing 4, P. Cox 2, S. Thorne 2, J. Wray 2, I. Vallejo , C. Maher , W. Farrer , S. Rioli. Lions: P. Karnezis 4, A. Cornelius 3, R. Bewick 2, X. Clark , M. Green , B. McCulloch.
BEST - NT Thunder: S. Tapp, S. Thorne, C. Maher, K. Lohde, I. Vallejo, R. Tungatalum. Lions: R. Harwood, P. Karnezis, R. Bewick, A. Raines, C. Mitchelhill, B. McCauley.
