BRISBANE is hopeful its win at the Sydney leg of the AFLX tournament can provide it with the impetus to turn the club's fortunes around.

The Lions secured close wins over Richmond and Greater Western Sydney in their pool games to make the Grand Final, where they beat Sydney by 26 points at Allianz Stadium.

Skilful forward Allen Christensen was one of his side's better players and kicked two goals in the decider, in his return to senior footy after a nightmare 2017.

The 26-year-old hasn't played an AFL match since round 11, 2016 because of consistent shoulder problems, and while he was just happy to be back on the field, Christensen said the importance of their AFLX win won't be lost on the Lions. 

"It's a little stepping stone to where we want to head as a football club because we haven't had a winning culture here," he said. 

"It doesn't matter if it was this, the JLT Community Series, or premiership (season) proper, we want to win as many games as we can. 

"I think as a club there's been a real culture shift around the place and it's a really good place to be around.

"Winning it is just the icing on the cake."

Despite naming the most experienced squad on paper earlier this week the Swans elected not to play senior stars Nick Smith, Sam Reid and Jake Lloyd, leaving Dane Rampe as the standout leader.

George Hewett, Harry Cunningham, Nic Newman and Dean Towers carried the load for Sydney, and despite the Grand Final loss, coach John Longmire said he was happy with what he saw. 

"For Tom McCartin, Angus Styles, James Bell, Jake Brown and these sorts of guys to play against genuine AFL opposition is a great experience," he said. 

"There were plenty of positives and the boys really enjoyed it."

Longmire was quick to shut down any talk of a switch forward for Rampe, who booted three straight 'Zooper goals' to start the match as the Swans' beat the Western Bulldogs. 

"No, it's not worth wasting the breath," he said with a laugh.