Brisbane have opened their AFL premiership defence with a dramatic four-point victory over Sydney, with Chris Fagan ranking it among the club's great wins given the series of imposing hurdles.

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL ... Brisbane and Sydney played in last September’s grand final. Photo: Phil Hillyard If there was ever a time for the Swans to capitalise on a Lions ...

Having been forced to wait longer than expected to start their premiership defence, the Brisbane Lions are ... his tenure as Sydney Swans coach with a loss. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via ...

Tom McCartin has made the swap to attack since Brisbane and Sydney ... AFL debut on Saturday. Photo: Phil Hillyard The Swans will have five different faces from the team that fell to the Lions ...