The Brisbane Lions’ lack of experience could not be blamed for their capitulation at the hands of North Melbourne on Sunday.

In fact, it was the Club’s younger players who provided some of the very few positives from an otherwise bleak 63-point loss.

The Lions headed into the match with two debutants – Marco Paparone and Sam Docherty – while 18 year-old Sam Mayes had played his first AFL game just one week earlier against Gold Coast.

But despite combining for just one AFL game between them, the trio were among the side’s better contributors in the one-sided affair.

Paparone, in particular, made an impact after starting in the green vest.

The East Fremantle product was substituted into the game at quarter time to replace the injured Ash McGrath, and proceeded to kick a team high three goals and take seven marks (second only to Jonathan Brown) in just 66% of game time.

His first kick in football also directly set-up teammate Rohan Bewick for the team’s second goal of the match.

Fellow debutant Docherty was also busy with 20 disposals and five rebound 50s – the second most of any player in the team.

Mayes, meanwhile, backed up his stellar debut match against the Suns with another eye-catching 18-disposal effort.

In a match where the Lions made countless skill errors, the South Australian was noticeably clean with his disposal and finished with a game-high efficiency rate of over 94%.