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Brisbane have thumped AFL premiership contenders Port Adelaide by 49 points in a statement victory without star man Lachie Neale.
Brisbane have made light work of their anticipated heavyweight AFL clash with Port Adelaide, abruptly cooling the Power's hot AFL form with a 49-point drubbing at the Gabba.
The visitors (5-2) entered in superb touch but were never in the contest as Brisbane (4-3) notched a third-straight win - 13.15 (93) to 5.14 (44) - in their first appearance without injured Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale.
His likely midfielder opponent Travis Boak was missing for the Power too and it was the Lions who adjusted best, combining terrific pressure with slick movement forward to notch a fourth-straight win against the premiership fancies.
"I really rated the win against Carlton (last week) but I didn't come here tonight thinking if we won it'd be like that," Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said after declaring it their best win of the year.
"They had a lot of inside 50 domination, we were just able to go from one end to the other and score and that brilliant effort in that quarter was from our defenders."
Joe Daniher had another eye-catching game for Brisbane, linking nicely with Eric Hipwood to set the tone early, while Lincoln McCarthy (one goal, three goal assists) and Charlie Cameron (four goals) dominated the third term to put the result beyond doubt.
Essendon recruit Daniher again went looking for the ball, launching two set shots for goal and assisting in two other first-quarter majors.
After a humbling performance against Carlton last week, Harris Andrews (11 intercepts) repelled the Power's early advances and kept Charlie Dixon quiet while Jarryd Lyons (28 disposals) had seven clearances in another understated midfield performance.
Cameron's third goal was scintillating, the small forward running on to a clever Callum Ah Chee grubber and drilling his snap low on the angle for a 54-point lead at the final break.
Hugh McCluggage (31 touches) continued his fine season while Irish debutant James Madden and rookies Jaxon Prior and Deven Robertson showed coach Chris Fagan he has options if their run of injuries continues.
Jarrod Berry (groin) and Darcy Gardiner (concussion) also missed the win while Neale will miss at least six weeks after ankle surgery, but their shutdown of the third-placed Port proved they could operate without their key ball-winners for now.
Port's Ollie Wines (37 disposals) and Aliir Aliir (nine intercepts) were standouts in a side that led the inside-50 entries 58-55 but were constantly beaten to the ball.
"You don't want that reminder but you get those reminders," Port coach Ken Hinkley said while lamenting his side's inferior contested work.
"It wouldn't have mattered if you had 22 Travis' (Boak) out there tonight, we needed some support.
"Ollie I thought was amazing. He gave what he had ... I think a few others could have jumped on with Ol."
Power defender Ryan Burton was substituted for Sam Mayes at halftime with a rib issue ahead of next week's Showdown against Adelaide Crows.
