The Brisbane Lions eight point defeat of 2016 AFL premiers the Western  Bulldogs has new coach David Fagan seeing positives ahead for the club.

The Lions were wonderfully led by new skipper Dane Beams albeit against a Dogs side with just nine members of last years flag winning side taking the field.

Fagan says while nobody is kidding themselves about the result, the way his side went about the victory was a good sign  for the club and the season ahead.