The bright spark of impressive efforts by Brisbane Lions youngsters Archie Smith and Eric Hipwood was not enough to distract from a 94-point defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide at the Gabba.

It started well enough for the home team – they kicked three of the first four goals – but the Power stormed to a 25.23 (173) to 11.13 (79) victory.

It is the highest score by any team this season. It was a crash, more a thud, back to earth for the Lions just six days after snapping a 12-game losing streak with a morale-boosting win over Essendon.

But for all the endeavour and effort they showed against the Bombers, it was missing against a Power team that worked relentlessly and killed off a lackluster opponent.

Midfielders Ollie Wines (32), Robbie Gray (32), Jared Polec (25) and Travis Boak (24 and three goals) filled the stats sheet.

The damage could have been far greater for the Lions if Port kicked straight. They had plenty of chances, going inside 50 a staggering 77 times.

It was a storyline Lions fans have seen far too often at the Gabba in 2016.

Debutant ruckman Archie Smith was undoubtedly the team's best player, showing up his more experienced teammates with his tenacity and hunger to compete.

Smith, who only switched from basketball three years ago, finished with 19 disposals (17 contested – a team high), nine clearances, another team high, 30 hitouts and five tackles.

First-year forward Eric Hipwood also had some great moments, bombing a massive goal from outside 50m and taking a number of big marks.

Michael Close was also good in his first game back in the Seniors since busting his knee 475 days ago at Etihad Stadium in Round 2 last season, kicking two goals.

BRISBANE LIONS    4.1   4.6        9.9       11.13   (79)                  
PORT ADELAIDE      4.6   11.11    18.17   25.23   (173)         

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Walker 2, Zorko 2, Close 2, Hipwood, Green, Dawson, Robertson, Rockliff
Port Adelaide: Wingard 5, Butcher 4, Boak 3, Westhoff 2, Impey 2, Amon 2, Ah Chee 2, Trengove 2, Ebert 2, Young

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Smith, Zorko, Rich, Walker
Port Adelaide: Wines, Boak, R Gray, Trengove, Polec, Butcher

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Smith (shoulder)
Port Adelaide: Hartlett (calf, replaced in selected side by Toumpas)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stephens, Hay, McInerney

Official crowd: 13,085 at the Gabba

Watch Leppitsch Post-Match