On a night when the Brisbane Lions provided an emotional farewell for retired skipper Michael Voss, the former AFL powerhouse rekindled memories of its glory years in a dominant victory over St Kilda.

Glimpses of Brisbane's years at the top were flashed on the Gabba big screen as a tribute to three-time premiership captain Voss before the new-look Lions provided their own highlights reel in a 15.12 (102) to 7.8 (50) upset win over the highly-fancied Saints.

Voss hung up his boots at the end of the 2006 season after a glittering 289-game career that included a Brownlow Medal and three premierships.

He was officially farewelled by the club before the match, given a lap of honour with his children Casey, Kayla and Gemma as a stirring career retrospect was provided on the big screen.

And the former skipper would have been confident he left Brisbane in safe hands after watching midfield young guns Michael Rischitelli and Justin Sherman inspire the Lions.

Sherman also helped himself to three goals while key Brisbane forward Jonathan Brown was back to his best, booting five majors.

Brisbane were surprise ladder leaders entering the contest, sitting on top of the table for the first time since round 17 in 2004 after a round one hammering of Hawthorn, but they looked every bit the part as they finally toppled their bogey side St Kilda.

The Lions had not roared against the Saints since their Easter clash in 2005 - losing three straight encounters by an average of 76 points.

Aaron Fiora tried hard for the Saints, kicking two goals along with Justin Koschitzke, while Fraser Gehrig had a rare quiet night as he finished without a major to his name.

Trailing by 27 points at halftime, the Saints marched into the third term by booting three of the first four goals to cut the deficit to just three kicks.

However, Brisbane responded by nailing three straight goals to lead 11.11 (77) to 6.6 (42) at the final break.

Brisbane suffered a blow before the first bounce when triple premiership winning midfielder Nigel Lappin (thigh) and defender Jason Roe (hamstring) were last minute withdrawals.

For St Kilda, co-captain Luke Ball was rested as expected after copping a heavy head knock against Melbourne last weekend.

Another Saints co-captain Nick Riewoldt (hamstring) also missed the game.

In the first quarter, Saints defender Max Hudghton suffered a suspected quad injury.

Hudghton had been named to replace fellow backman Matt Maguire, who is expected to be out for six weeks with a foot injury.

Rischitelli - hailed as a potential All Australian by Lions coach Leigh Matthews before the season - finished with 27 possessions as Brisbane ran over the top of St Kilda's much touted midfield.

Matthews also hailed his back six including fullback Daniel Merrett who kept Gehrig quiet.

After finishing last season with six straight losses - including a resounding 51-point last round loss to the Saints - Brisbane have now won five of their last six games including their pre-season run which took them to the NAB Cup final.

"In the last month of last year we became a very poor team. It's good to have won the first couple of games - I think our supporters are seeing a team that they can really be proud of," Matthews said.

"We were in a situation because we were so poor at the end of last year that we needed to build our confidence in the pre-season which probably happened.

"Now they've got a worth ethic, they've got a will." Lappin is expected to play against Sydney on April 15, Roe is "not certain" while key ruckman Jamie Charman (Achilles) will return to full training next week.

Meanwhile, Saints coach Ross Lyon was not making any excuses despite losing a second tall defender in a week - Hudghton.

"He strained a quad. I haven't been told a timeframe but it doesn't look fantastic," Lyon said.

He was not hitting the panic button over his defensive options despite Hudghton's loss.

"We will have to restructure a little bit. Riewoldt will definitely be back (against Western Bulldogs) next week, (Justin) Koschitzke can play centre half back - so there's options," he said.

Lyon dipped his hat to Brisbane's midfield after they "dismantled" the Saints.

"It was won and lost in the midfield, we make no bones about that," he said.

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