Brisbane comfortably accounted for Gold Coast in a practice match on Thursday night.
The Lions ran away 47-point winners - 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55) - in hot, humid and windy conditions at Springfield.
Both clubs sent out fairly strong teams from the beginning before Damien Hardwick introduced a large group of Suns VFL players for the final quarter, while Chris Fagan’s Lions remained largely senior.
The game did continue on into six periods with VFL, fringe and younger players getting their chance to impress late.
There were no signs of slowing down for Charlie Cameron who was simply dominant in the first half.
The electric small forward booted five goals before the main break, getting out the back with ease and making the Suns defence pay dearly.
No rust for Charlie 😎
— AFL (@AFL) February 22, 2024
Watch the game live on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. pic.twitter.com/bLbpzDm73J
Lincoln McCarthy (three goals) and Erc Hipwood (two goals) were the only other multiple goal kickers on the ground.
SEN Breakfast’s Kane Cornes and David King discussed their key observations from the match, which included a few intriguing positional switches.
One of those was Lions defender Darcy Gardiner who played in attack alongside Joe Daniher and Hipwood.
“Haven’t Brisbane hit the ground running,” Cornes said.
King responded: “They have, they’re a very good side. Charlie was on fire.
“Some different things, they looked like they were more aggressive with a bit more corridor stuff.
“Darcy Gardiner up forward, is that going to work do you think?”
Cornes replied: “I wouldn’t have thought so.
“How can you fit Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Gardiner? He’s taken the Jack Gunston role but it didn’t even work with Gunston who is a very accomplished forward.
“I’m not sure it’s going to work with Gardiner.”
Without Lachie Neale in the side, Cam Rayner spent more time as a midfielder while Keidean Coleman, Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey were the standout players.
From a Suns point of view, Matt Rowell looked powerful in midfield, impressing King with his burst away from stoppage.
“Did you see Matty Rowell working on his first three steps?” King asked.
“Power! He is a ‘make you miss’ midfielder where they break tackles or they just step around.
“He looked terrific.”
Alex Sexton, who has spent his entire AFL career as a forward, was moved to half-back where he appeared comfortable.
King asked: “Sexton at half-back, did you like that?”
Cornes replied: “I’ve always thought why has it not worked for Sexton?
“Every time I see him play I like him. Clearly there’s some defensive issues with that as a forward, but across half-back he was getting plenty of it and taking the kick-ins.
“I love Ben Ainsworth, I’m a big fan of Ainsworth.”
Sam Flanders and Connor Budarick were among their very best players.
Overall, it might have been seen as a disappointing hit-out for Hardwick’s side
“Hardwick has made some big statements already in the pre-season,” Cornes.
“He said he’s got the premiership list, the floor is finals, the ceiling is untapped.
“It didn’t look like that yesterday.”
The Suns will next meet GWS in the AAMI Community Series at Manuka Oval on Thursday, February 29 before their Opening Round clash with Richmond at home on March 9.
The Lions take on Sydney at Blacktown next Thursday before their Opening Round fixture against Carlton at the Gabba on March 8.
