Life after inspirational skipper Michael Voss began with hope for the Brisbane Lions after they soaked up miserable conditions to hold out a young St Kilda 0.7.10 (52) to 1.5.6 (45) in their NAB Cup opener in Cairns.

The heavens opened and the Saints marched to an early lead by piling on the first 21 points before the new-look Lions roared in a stirring second half.

After trailing by 28 points at the first break and three goals at halftime, Brisbane dug deep to ensure the Saints suffered a goal drought despite the wet conditions.

Brisbane lit up the gloomy, wet conditions by keeping the Saints goal-less in the second half and scoreless in the fourth quarter to nab a gutsy come from behind victory, much to the delight of more than 6,000 fans.

It was an encouraging early sign for an outfit entering a new era without the likes of retired greats Voss, Justin Leppitsch and Brad Scott and departed premiership winners Jason Akermanis and Mal Michael.

The Lions' win assures a much-anticipated second round clash with a Western Bulldogs outfit boasting outspoken former midfielder Akermanis.

The only headache for Lions coach Leigh Matthews is Jed Adcock, who suffered a suspected ankle injury after a heavy tackle late in the third quarter.

"Whether it is a very bad knock on the leg or a cracked bone I guess will be determined when we have our X-rays this week - it is quite sore," Matthews said.

It was a soppy introduction for Lyon, who gave his binoculars a workout as he tried to peer through the driving rain at his young charges.

"The coach's box was magnificent, I was stuck in the forward pocket, rain pouring in, couldn't see - it was good," he laughed.

"But that's the reality with coming to an outpost of the AFL. It's great for Cairns people to experience AFL footy.

"But I thought there were some positives with the way our young group attacked extreme conditions in really what was their first hit out - I will take that any day of the week."

He expected to bring back a cavalcade of stars including Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Gehrig, Harvey and "maybe" Riewoldt in their next trial game.

Expectations were low for a St Kilda side minus its stars and still dealing with the devastating news that star Aaron Hamill faced an uncertain future after undergoing yet another knee operation.

However, a young side featuring 11 new faces including all of their rookies - former Lion Jayden Attard, Robert Eddy, Jarryn Geary, Clinton Jones, Luke van Rheenen and James Wall - got the early jump on Brisbane.

In contrast, Brisbane fielded the nucleus of their senior group including Simon Black, Chris Johnson and Luke Power, who shared captaincy duties.

Brisbane blooded 2006 draftees Chris Schmidt, James Hawksley, Matthew Tyler, Sam Sheldon and rookie Haydn Kiel.

St Kilda led from the front in the first half before Brisbane launched a mini-revival in the second quarter, piling on 14 straight points before the Saints steadied with a Leigh Montagna major to enjoy a three-goal halftime lead.

The Saints could manage only five behinds in the third quarter including a three-point rushed behind by Lion Will Hamill as Brisbane whittled the deficit down to just 10 by the final break.

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