But don't blame Josh Green.

The red-headed small forward from Clarence provided Brisbane, and the match, with a much-needed spark and energy through his ground-level work in attack.

Green kicked three of Brisbane's eight majors with Mark Baguley and Courtenay Dempsey his main opponents.

The first, after receiving a 50-metre penalty on the stroke of half-time, got the margin back to 13 points and kick-started the Lions' comeback.

He bounced one home halfway through the third term while his last gave Brisbane back the lead with 90 seconds of the term remaining.

They may have been Green's only three score involvements, but he made them count, while his six tackles ensured the ball was not leaving the forward 50 with any ease.

He finished with 10 touches at a disposal efficiency rate of 60 per cent.

Wynyard defender Colin Garland played his first game for the season in Melbourne's loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Garland, who spent plenty of time on Tom Williams, collected 11 possessions at 91 per cent disposal efficiency, laid four tackles, had two goal assists and three scoring involvements.

Teammate Jeremy Howe, of Dodges Ferry, put in his most comfortable looking effort since moving back to defence, collecting 18 disposals at 89 per cent disposal efficiency, with five marks (including one of the high-flying variety) and six scoring involvements.

While Garland returned to the field of battle, West Moonah's Liam Jones is going in the other direction after yesterday accepting an enforced two-game holiday for his bump on Dean Turlich.

The incident marred another quiet outing for the Bulldogs forward, finishing with just eight touches, four marks and no scoreboard impact, although he did have four score involvements.

It was a low-key return for Lauderdale's Andrew Phillips after more than a year out, collecting just seven touches, six hit-outs and 1.0 in Greater Western Sydney's big loss to West Coast.

Devonport's Grant Birchall was quieter than usual in Hawthorn's loss to Sydney, collecting 22 touches at 82 per cent disposal efficiency, with three rebound and three inside- 50s, kicking 1.0 and having seven scoring involvements.

Lauderdale's Mitch Robinson drifted in and out of Carlton's win over St Kilda.

The Lauderdale hard-nut, playing across half-forward, kicked 1.0 from 18 touches with five marks and four tackles.

But he, too, could be in for an enforced holiday after being offered a one-week ban for striking Jack Newnes.

For the Saints, Glenorchy's Jimmy Webster had the tough task of watching the likes of Chris Yarran and David Ellard and finished with just six touches.

Burnie's Maverick Weller was St Kilda's sub, coming on late in the third term and instantly throwing himself into the contest, finishing with six touches and two tackles.