AFTER coach Michael Voss this week suggested his side needed to rely more on intent than talent, it was a switched-on Brisbane Lions unit that hit the ground at Patersons Stadium to take on Fremantle on Saturday.

Some push and shove before the opening bounce suggested the visitors were there to play, but Nick Suban’s torn jumper was the only lasting damage as Fremantle led all day to run out 40 point winners, 12.14.86 to 6.10.46.

The low scoring nature of the contest kept the Lions seemingly within range throughout the first three quarters and they trailed by four straight kicks at the last change, but there was never a point where the result was in doubt.

David Mundy was a stand-out for Fremantle, gathering possessions freely and chipping in with two vital goals in the third quarter, while Michael Barlow was back to his pre-injury best.

Zac Clarke stood up in the ruck but there's no doubt the side will be better when Aaron Sandilands takes his place back on the field.

Fremantle also enjoyed good games from the Pearce's, Clancee and Danyle, Garrick Ibbotson and Michael Johnson who kicked two goals running out from defence.

Click here to vote for the three best Fremantle players from the game

The Lions’ forward line was missing the big-bodied presence of Jonathan Brown but veteran Ashley McGrath did his best to fill the gap, his wayward kicking letting him down as he finished with 2.3 from some very gettable opportunities.

Sam Mayes continued his impressive debut season with 25 disposals but as Voss noted there just wasn't enough class in the Lions line-up.

One Lion with impeccable credentials is Simon Black who entered the game as the club's new games record holder, surpassing former teammate Marcus Ashcroft, but even that finished poorly with Black subbed off in the third quarter and left to watch his big day in the red vest.

It was Fremantle lock-down artist Ryan Crowley , himself celebrating his 150th match, who shadowed the classy Black until his benching, a fitting analogy for the dour yet successful tactics of Ross Lyon.

Another minor melee broke out in the closing stages of the game but it was a last spark of life from a contest that never raised itself to particularly high levels.

The Lions, and especially Michael Voss, will be desperate to inject some vigour into their efforts through the remainder of the season, while Lyon and his Dockers would have to be happy with the way 2013 is panning out.

FREMANTLE            3.4    6.7    8.9   12.14   (86)                  
BRISBANE LIONS    2.1    3.7    4.9   6.10     (46)          

GOALS
Fremantle: Mundy 2, Mayne 2, Johnson 2, De Boer, Danyle Pearce, Hannath, Clarke, Crowley, Hill
Brisbane Lions: Lisle 3, McGrath 2, Rockliff

BEST
Fremantle: Mundy, Barlow, Ibbotson, Danyle Pearce, McPharlin, Johnson
Brisbane Lions: Golby, Lester, McGrath, Lisle, Rich, Redden

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Hayden Crozier replaced Alex Silvagni in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Sam Docherty replaced Simon Black in the third quarter

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Dalgleish, McBurney
Official crowd: 33,384 at Patersons Stadium