A fast-starting Brisbane has caused the season's first upset, defeating defending premier Adelaide by 13 points at Hickey Park.

The youthful Lions jumped the injury-riddled Crows, scooting to a 20-point lead shortly after quarter-time on the back of frenzied pressure and clever finishing around goal.

In slippery conditions, Brisbane ran out comfortable winners 5.4 (34) to 3.3 (21) despite a record-breaking 34 disposals by Crows midfielder Anne Hatchard.

Showcasing a vastly different team to the one that appeared in successive Grand Finals in 2017 and 2018, Brisbane's attack on the footy caught Adelaide off guard.

While experienced Lions Lauren Arnell (two goals), Kate Lutkins (15 disposals), Emily Bates (13), captain Emma Zielke (15) and Ally Anderson (16) were all solid contributors, it was the eight debutants that caught the eye.

Dakota Davidson was a powerful physical presence in the forward half, No.3 draft pick Lily Postlethwaite a terrier around the contest and Maria Moloney (12) a midfield workhorse.

Sophie Conway (12 touches and six tackles) was also instrumental in her first game back from a ruptured ACL.

Not surprisingly it was a debutant who got the scoring underway, with Greta Bodey kicking the game's opening goal, using skills from her soccer background to toe-poke accurately after a clever Jess Wuetschner tap-back.

Irish import Orla O'Dwyer then had the crowd of 3002 in raptures, kicking a goal with her first touch after playing on from a mark and cleverly snapping around her body with her left boot.

It was a long day for the Crows, who failed to take advantage of more ball (plus 33 disposals) and better territory (plus 13 inside-50s).

Aside from Hatchard's incredible game, Ebony Marinoff and Sarah Allan could also hold their heads high.

BRISBANE         2.2        3.3        5.3        5.4     (34)

ADELAIDE         0.0        1.2        1.2        3.3     (21)

GOALS
Brisbane: Arnell 2, Bodey, O'Dwyer, Wardlaw

Adelaide: Gum, Gore, Foley

BEST 
Brisbane: Lutkins, Conway, Bates, Davidson, Svarc, Zielke

Adelaide: Hatchard, Allan, Cox, Marinoff, Rajicic

INJURIES 
Brisbane: Nil

Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 3002 at Hickey Park