The ugly ducklings of the AFL - Sydney - were sitting pretty at the Gabba after extending their remarkable run against the Brisbane Lions.

Five goals by recovering Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw could not stop the Swans running out 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) victors in their round three clash.

The Lions have not beaten the Swans in their last eight games, a run spanning back to round one, 2004.

The closest the Lions have got to pipping Sydney is a draw in their last clash in round 20, 2007.

The Lions looked a chance of at least repeating their last season heartstopper when they fought back from 25-points down in the second quarter and 23 in the third to remain in striking distance of Sydney.

However, missed opportunities by the Lions and cool heads by the Swans ensured a second straight win for the visitors.

Bradshaw has made a successful return from a knee reconstruction that robbed him of the 2007 season, banging in 11 goals for the season to date thanks to another brace of majors.

He kicked three goals in the second quarter alone as the Lions fought back from a 25-point deficit to come within a kick of the visitors.

But just like last year, the Lions looked one dimensional in attack as reigning Coleman Medallist Jonathan Brown was suffocated by the Swans, kicking 1.1 in a quiet night.

It looked ominous for the Lions as they trailed 3.3 (21) to 1.1 (8) at the first break and by 25 points early in the second quarter.

However, Bradshaw's brace gave the Lions a sniff before a steadying goal by Jarred Moore gave the Swans a 7.4 (46) to 5.4 (34) halftime buffer.

Bradshaw's fourth goal and an inspired left foot snap by Tim Notting in the third kept the Lions within 10 points of the visitors - but that's where the revival ended for the hosts.

The Lions threatened in the fourth but the Swans held their nerve - much to the frustration of the 29,061-strong crowd.

The pre-match lead-up was dominated by Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews claiming Sydney's dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes was a "protected species" after escaping the AFL Tribunal and lining up for a club record equalling 194th straight game.

But Roos laughed off the allegation after Goodes helped himself to 26 disposals against the Lions.

Goodes escaped a one-week ban for a striking charge in their last round thumping of Port Adelaide.

"Normally as a coach you know from first impressions of an incident whether you are in trouble or not, and looking at that (Goodes incident) I was always really confident of him getting off," he said.

Roos couldn't explain Sydney's hold on the Lions, especially after the tight tussle.

"We try and put pressure on their better players and sometimes it works reasonably well," he said.

"But they (Lions) are evolving and getting better. Both teams were pretty switched on, they came at us a few times, the crowd starts roaring, it's a hard place to win here - I will take that win any day of the week."

Meanwhile, Matthews tried to sum up why Sydney had the wood on Brisbane.

"Their good players played better than our counterparts. (Barry) Hall, (Brett) Kirk, (Adam) Goodes, (Tadhg) Kennelly - all the usual suspects, we couldn't stop them," he said.

Roos and Matthews agreed on one thing - they described forward Hall (two goals, 14 marks) as "exceptional".

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP