A four-goal return for Charlie Cameron helped Brisbane to a 26-point win over Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Friday.
The Lions survived a late scare from the Blues after taking a very healthy lead into the final break.
Starving Carlton of forward movement and scoring opportunities in a five-goal-to-zip third term, the visitors flirted with fumbling a 40-point margin in the later stages.
A continuation of Charlie Cameron's recent form in front of the sticks played a major part in claiming a rare win in Victoria to move top of the table after the opening game on round eight.
Coming into the match Brisbane had lost 12 of their past 18 forays south since 2021.
Cameron, however, was coming off 19 goals in his past four games.
He had two by half time with both sides favouring long bombs forward amid a high-pressure contest.
When the Lions tore the game apart after the main break, Cameron was in the thick of it.
He made amends for his side's wayward start to the quarter in front of the sticks which threatened to waste dominant period both with the ball and in defence.
Pouncing on the loose footy after deep entries forward, Cameron kicked a pair of trademark majors in quick succession running into open goal.
The Lions make Carlton pay as Charlie Cameron kicks his third!#AFLBluesLions pic.twitter.com/4cKXVqnyS2
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2023
It came amongst efforts setting up others, a common theme of his night, as he finished with seven score involvements.
His front fifty defensive pressure also contributed to a statement win over a Blues outfit now doubtful as the season takes shape.
Lions teammate Keidean Coleman put together a handy performance down back, often the loose man to link up with coming out of defence as well as swiping at the contested football to quell potential clearances out of congestion from Carlton.
For the Blues, despite being starved of the footy throughout the majority of the contest, Jesse Motlop added two goals to his season tally on return from a one-match suspension.
Brisbane move top of the ladder with six wins from eight outings so far 2023.
