SYDNEY'S Adam Goodes showed flashes of brilliance before Brisbane grabbed a 10-point win in their final NAB Challenge before the start of the AFL season.
Neither side dominated a largely scrappy encounter, but a couple of late goals to the Lions gave them victory 14.13 (97) to 13.9 (87) at Canberra's Manuka Oval.
Robert Copeland was twice awarded 50-metre penalties and took both opportunities from the goal square.
It was the difference in a game neither side ever gained the ascendancy in, and the occasional cameo from dual Brownlow Medallist Goodes and Brisbane's mercurial Jonathan Brown thrilled the crowd in the capital.
Swans full-forward Barry Hall was a late scratching but coach Paul Roos said there was no major injury scare.
"It's a bit of a sore, creaky old back," Roos said after the match.
Michael O'Loughlin did well in replacing Hall as the main forward target but his radar was off until the final quarter, when he kicked two goals.
Neither side suffered any injuries although Brown came from the field gingerly in the first quarter with what appeared to be a knee scare. He was soon back on the ground.
Roos was again happy with the performance of his youngsters including Ed Barlow, Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Jarred Moore, who grabbed three goals.
Under pressure during the week because of an AFL investigation which later cleared him, Roos welcomed the chance to focus on the game.
"It was good to get back, good to play some footy."
Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews was pleased to see his squad finish without injury.
A Brisbane outfit will play a final trial on Monday, an informal match against a QFL side.
The Lions' first game of the season is away to West Coast in a fortnight while Sydney will match up against St Kilda at Telstra Dome, also on March 22.
BRISBANE 3.2 8.4 9.8 14.13 (97)
SYDNEY 4.3 7.5 9.9 13.9 (87)
Goals
Brisbane: J Charman 3 A Proud 2 R Copeland 2 R Hooper 2 J Brennan A Corrie M Leuenberger D Bradshaw N Lappin.
Sydney: J Moore 3 D Jolly 2 N Davis 2 M O'Loughlin 2 H Grundy K Jack R O'Keefe J Bolton.
Best
Brisbane: J Charman J Brown A Proud L Power.
Sydney: A Goodes K Jack E Barlow M O'Loughlin.
Injuries: Nil.
Crowd: 2,264 at Manuka Oval.
