On Saturday, Fagan's rapidly improving team did exactly that - giving West Coast a Gabba touch-up in a dominant 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) victory.

It's the first time Brisbane have beaten a defending premier since a win over Hawthorn in round 12, 2009.

The Lions coach said the performance embodied the growing belief in his squad.

"The players are excited about the fact that they just beat the team that won the premiership last year," Fagan said.

"Probably couldn't have dreamed that two years ago. I think they dreamed a bit this week about it though."

The Eagles appeared set to start their premiership defence in winning fashion after a late six-goal surge in the opening quarter gave them a 27-point advantage at the first change.

Unbowed, the Lions outscored the Eagles 14 goals to two for the remainder of the match.

While West Coast were missing grand final-winning forwards Willie Rioli, Josh Kennedy and Jamie Cripps to injury, the defeat wasn't because of their absence.

Brisbane's heroes were many, with recruits Lincoln McCarthy, Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons among those to shine.

Captain Dayne Zorko revelled in the freedom afforded by not having to shoulder the ball-winning burden while Charlie Cameron and Hugh McCluggage provided the spark up front.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson was clearly impressed, and said his team had no answer to Brisbane's aggression and hunger.

"I know there'll be talk about what they did last year and what we did last year but she's a different season," Simpson said.

"We got beat in the midfield so it's hard to talk about our young forwards."

The challenge now for Brisbane will be backing up their win against North Melbourne next weekend.

After claiming just five victories apiece in both of Fagan's seasons at the Lions helm, he knows one game doesn't show his team has arrived.

"It's just one week. I wish it was 15 weeks of doing that, but it's just one," he said.

"We haven't beaten North Melbourne for a long time either and they got hold of us last year at Marvel Stadium ... they're a good team, well coached."

Australian Associated Press