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The Brisbane Lions have upset defending AFLW champions Adelaide by 13 points in their season opener despite a record-breaking effort by Anne Hatchard.
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich is arguably the only person not getting too excited about the Lions' stunning 13-point AFLW season-opening upset of defending premiers Adelaide.
A new-look Lions outfit boasting seven debutantes revelled in wet conditions on Saturday at Brisbane's Hickey Park to hold out the Crows 5.4 (34) to 3.3 (21), despite an AFLW record 34 touches by Adelaide midfielder Anne Hatchard.
By rights, it is a result which should make other teams sit up and take notice.
But Starcevich isn't convinced.
Asked if he thought the Lions had sent a message to the rest of the league, Starcevich said: "That's not our motivation in round one.
"This (team) has a year-one feel about it, where the talent has been spread a bit, so that (sending message) is not the driving motivation at the moment.
"We have endured a lot in the last couple of years but our experienced crew turned up - it was pleasing."
Adelaide were down to 21 fit players after experienced defender Courtney Cramey (groin) and midfielder Sophie Li (concussion) were added to a lengthy injury list, topped by co-captain Erin Phillips.
The winners of two of the AFLW's first three flags, however, were still expected to account for a rebuilding Lions.
Brisbane had lost 16 players over two years to other teams as the league expanded, including eight alone to 2020 debutantes Gold Coast.
However, they stood up on Saturday with the experienced guard of Lauren Arnell (two goals), Kate Lutkins (15 touches) and Emily Bates (13 disposals) leading the way.
The debutantes also had their moments with Dakota Davidson impressing, former soccer player Greta Bodey kicking the game's opening goal and Irish import Orla O'Dwyer nabbing a major with her first touch.
The Lions held their opposition scoreless in the first and third terms to set up a match-winning 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8) lead at the final break in front of 3002 fans.
"Overall, our injuries had very little to do with that outcome. They played the wet conditions really well," Crows coach Matthew Clarke said of his depleted squad.
"And we were probably a little bit second to the ball at times, particularly in the first five minutes when they kicked a couple and that was ultimately the result."
