There was no second half fadeout for Brisbane this week as it welcomed back coach Craig Starcevich with a commanding 28 point win over the GIANTS to vault to the top of Conference A.

 The 7.9 (51) to 3.5 (23) victory at Hickey Park sets up a mouth-watering contest next Sunday against Conference B leaders Fremantle at Fremantle Oval – both teams are unbeaten.

Unlike eight days earlier where Brisbane relinquished a 15-point half-time lead to draw against Gold Coast, there would be no such mistake against the GIANTS.

On the back of a dominant midfield led by Cathy Svarc (23 disposals, two goals and 11 tackles) and Emily Bates (24 and a goal), and another tantalising performance from young forward Jesse Wardlaw (two goals), the Lions were relentless.

After a heart scare forced him to watch the Suns match from his home rather than the coach's box, Starcevich would be delighted with what he saw.

After leading by 12 points at the main break the Lions slammed the door shut with three unanswered goals in the third quarter.

Svarc not only led the way with ball in hand, but doubled her influence by quelling the output of star GIANT Alyce Parker (11 touches).

Brisbane built its match-winning lead in a superb first quarter, harassing the GIANTS and creating a plethora of chances inside forward 50.

Starting with a goal off the ground to Svarc, they doubled their lead minutes later when Wardlaw pouched a terrific contested mark and then converted from 40m.

Despite having more of the ball, Brisbane's hunt without it was just as impressive, laying 20 tackles to six and only inaccurate kicking restricted the lead to 11 points.

Ally Anderson (24) and Maria Moloney (14) were also strong around the contest.

BRISBANE   2.5       4.5       7.7       7.9 (51)
GIANTS       1.0       2.5       2.5       3.5 (23)

GOALS
Brisbane: Wardlaw 2, Svarc 2, Bates, Lutkins, Postlethwaite
GIANTS: Privitelli, Bonner, Schmidt

BEST 
Brisbane: Svarc, Bates, Wardlaw, Moloney, Anderson, Grider
GIANTS: Zreika, Bennetts, Barr, Beeson 

INJURIES 
Brisbane: Nil
GIANTS: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 3297 at Hickey Park