Suncoast led for all but those four minutes of the game, which was played in boggy, slippery conditions following a heavy downpour in the opening 15 minutes.
It all started so brightly with the young Lions piling on 4.1-1.0 in the first 12 minutes, their speed and crisp use of the ball catching Morningside unawares.
Scott Harding and Sherwood top up player James Pennycuik were busy early, as was Bradd Dalziell.
The rain brought the speed of the game back onto an even footing, and Morningside dominated the remainder of the quarter to be within four points at the first change.
The two sides went goal-for-goal for the remainder, until the Panthers broke the game apart in the dying minutes, winning 11.15 (81)-10.10 (70).
Experienced midfielder and State captain David Lillico was outstanding for the visitors, while little left-footer Nathan Kinch was just as destructive after having graduated from a defensive role to an onball one.
James Polkinghorne worked equally as hard for the Lions and his three goals kept the Lions with their noses in front.
They were able to do so because Wayde Mills did a fine job on dangerman Kent Abey at centre-half-back, limiting his impact through the first three quarters, although Abey did kick a quality goal to put the Panthers in front at the death.
Dalziell never stopped trying and the Lions received solid service from Ash McGrath, who goalled from a strong mark in the opening term and had an impact each time he had a stint on the ball.
It was McGrath’s first game of the year and his game time was limited accordingly, but he was particularly effective when he was on the ground.
The Lions also welcomed tall young utility Matt Tyler back for his first game of the autumn, and he would have been just glad for the hit-out.
Joel Tippett did some nice tapwork in the ruck and Pearce Hanley wasn’t afraid to take on the opposition in his defensive role, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Lions losing just their second Gabba qualifying rounds game in two seasons.
The only team to beat them at the Gabba in the home and away season last year was Morningside.
In other opening round games, former Lions Darryl White and Shane Morrison played key roles in defending premiers Mt Gravatt edging out Southport 16.7-13.15 in a bruising encounter at Dittmer Park; 2001 Norm Smith Medallist Shaun Hart coached his first game as Broadbeach went down to Zillmere 11.14-16.15 in a closely fought encounter at O’Callaghan Park; and ex-Lion, Saint and Tiger Trent Knobel dominated the ruck in Labrador’s crushing 22.14-7.9 win over Redland at Cooke-Murphy Oval.
Labrador will provide Suncoast with another stiff test at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon in the curtain-raiser to the Brisbane-Sydney clash.
