THE record book may mark Brisbane's AFL season-opener against Hawthorn at the Gabba on Saturday night as Lions coach Leigh Matthews' 750th game.
But the Lions mentor was only interested in one statistic - a win.
The Lions ended a horror six-game losing run stretching back to last season by clipping the Hawks 9.15 (69) to 6.8 (44) in a scrappy encounter.
Matthews became only the third person to rack up 750 games as a player and coach as his rebuilding Lions moved back into the winners' circle in their first game without inspirational skipper Michael Voss.
Matthews would also have been encouraged by the comeback of champion midfielder Nigel Lappin, who marked his first game in more than 12 months with 22 possessions.
Lappin, 30, missed all of 2006 after undergoing ankle surgery before suffering an elbow injury in the 2007 pre-season.
But the three-time premiership player showed no signs of rust once he emerged from the interchange bench 10 minutes into the first quarter, capping a fine first half by snapping a goal late in the second term as Brisbane skipped away with a 25-point lead.
In contrast to Lappin, forward Jonathan Brown was out of sorts in his first premiership game since round 10 last year, collecting just four kicks and two marks.
Brown's night was summed up early in the third quarter when he sprayed a set shot out on the full.
He had to wait until 13 minutes into the third quarter before finally booting his first and only goal.
Brisbane held a 6.13 (49) to 2.6 (18) lead at the final break after holding Hawthorn goalless in the third term.
But Hawthorn ensured some anxious moments late in the final quarter when two quick majors by Tim Boyle shaved Brisbane's lead to just a couple of kicks.
However, a Michael Rischitelli goal from outside the 50m arc and another major to tireless onballer Justin Sherman steadied the Lions.
Inaccuracy ensured Brisbane led 5.10 (40) to 2.3 (15) at halftime after holding only a slender 2.5 (17) to 1.0 (6) buffer at the first break.
Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis was placed on report for charging Cheynee Stiller right on halftime.
The Lions suffered a blow before the first bounce when Jamie Charman withdrew with an Achilles injury.
BRISBANE LIONS 2.5 5.10 6.13 9.15 (69)
HAWTHORN 1.0 2.3 2.6 6.8 (44)
Goals: Brisbane: A McGrath 3 T Notting N Lappin C Stiller J Brown M Rischitelli J Sherman. Hawthorn: L Franklin 3 T Boyle 2 T Clarke.
Best: Brisbane: S Black J Brennan L Power N Lappin J Sherman. Hawthorn: L Franklin C Young D Jacobs J Lewis T Croad.
Injuries: Brisbane: N Lappin (thigh), R Copeland (hip) J Charman (achilles) replaced in selected side by B McDonald. Hawthorn: Nil.
Reports: J Lewis (Hawthorn) reported by field umpire S Grun for rough conduct against C Stiller (Brisbane) in the second quarter.
Umpires: S Grun M Head T Pannell.
Official crowd: 27,104 at the Gabba.
