Reigning Coleman Medallist Brendan Fevola admits his Brisbane AFL debut was forgettable; he failed to fire and the Lions fell to the determined Western Bulldogs.

The former Carlton spearhead, traded away in October after the Blues became fed up with his mounting record of off-field misbehaviour, is known for relishing the big stage.

But Sunday's opening round NAB Cup encounter at Canberra's Manuka Oval was anything but, as just 3,707 fans watched the `Dogs scrap out a 1.5.14 (53) to 1.5.6 (45) comeback win in a waterlogged arena.

Fevola kicked the game's opening goal but did not score again and finished with just five touches, acknowledging he went to water on a surface soaked by two days of rain and unsuited to marking forwards.

"I'm used to (Etihad Stadium), a roof over the top, it's been raining cats and dogs and the ground's two feet under water," he said.

"It was like going down a slide at Wet'n'Wild."

Fevola said televiewers would have judged it "the worst game in the world" given conditions played havoc with players' skills.

The Lions could next play a practice match against the Blues, as they face the loser of Saturday night's Sydney-Carlton clash at Blacktown.

But Fevola said if that was the case, he would skip the match as he wanted his first encounter with the club that ousted him to be their Gabba meeting in round two of the regular season.

The Dogs were missing big-name recruit Barry Hall and veteran stars Brad Johnson, Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton, while the Lions were without triple-premiership players Jonathan Brown, Simon Black and Luke Power.

The major down note for the winners was an ankle injury to young star Shaun Higgins.

The Dogs next meet Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on February 26, a battle between two sides expected to strongly challenge last year's grand finalists Geelong and St Kilda.

The Hawks indicated with a 3.16.12 (135) to 0.9.8 (62) thrashing of a dismal Richmond in Launceston on Saturday night that they are headed for a year more in keeping with their 2008 premiership than last season's finals miss.

Stars Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell were all superb, although Franklin copped a corked buttock.

Port Adelaide impressed on Saturday, belting arch-rivals and 2009 finalists Adelaide 2.15.15 (123) to 1.8.10 (67) at AAMI Stadium.

Classy midfielder Travis Boak and sweeping defender Nathan Krakouer shone in what coach Mark Williams labelled a "new beginning" for the club.

But skilful forward Daniel Motlop will face scrutiny over a second quarter spear tackle on Michael Doughty.

On Friday night, exciting young ruckman Nic Naitanui starred for West Coast as they stormed over Essendon 1.16.12 (117) to 0.12.10 (82) at Subiaco.

Big-leaping Naitanui dominated ruck contests, followed up at ground level and used his closing speed to cause opposition turnovers and spark the Eagles.

The remaining four matches of the pre-season's opening round will be played next weekend.

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