Gold Coast acquired a lot more than just former Lion Jared Brennan's mercurial skills when they secured him for the Suns' debut AFL season.

They secured a valuable level-headed leader and role model for the Suns' impressionable teenagers to observe and follow.

Brennan rose above the criticism from former Lions' teammates, Simon Black and Jonathan Brown, to be the unanimous choice for best on ground in the the Gold Coast's shock 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116) win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old said he didn't return any verbal salvos at Brown and Black in the lead-up to the first clash between the Queensland sides, as he had too much respect for his one-time role models.

He said there was little to be gained by being embroiled in a media battle with Black, who labelled Brennan a mercenary for defecting to the Suns, and Brown who used his newspaper column to further inflame the situation.

"I had to bite my tongue a couple of times during the week because I learned so much at the Lions, and I didn't want to discredit past players that I learned from," Brennan said."

"I learned training ethics from Browny and Blacky, the way they go about it, so I really didn't want to say too much.

"I spent so long there, and I credit a lot to those guys and past players at the Lions about how they go about it.

"I wasn't going to come out and bag the Lions. Obviously, I learned a lot there and I'm bringing the knowledge that I learned at the Lions to the Suns now."

Brennan's 30 disposal, one goal performance was pivotal in the Suns winning their second game of the season, and inflicting the Lions with their sixth defeat of the season and most embarrassing loss for years.

He said Brown's and Black's barbs did not play any part in him producing one of his best four-quarter efforts during his career.

"Not really, I didn't take much notice outside of football - I got a couple of cheeky texts during the week but that was pretty much it. It didn't spur me on personally," he said.

"What spurred me on was getting the win - I thought we were a good chance this week if we executed everything and got off to a good start.

"It was definitely a great win. To come away with the victory and the way we won was just fantastic from the boys."

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