Joe Daniher has kicked five goals as Brisbane survived a frenetic late fightback from St Kilda for a 20-point AFL win at the Gabba.

The Lions led by 37 points at three-quarter time on Friday night but the margin was whittled down to seven points with nine minutes left as St Kilda came charging home.

A tough 50m penalty against St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager for being over the mark proved to be the turning point, with a successful set shot from Logan Morris sparking a run of three quick goals to Brisbane.

Daniher's 50m set shot from the boundary was the sealer, with the 19.12 (126) to 16.10 (106) win lifting Brisbane to their second straight victory.

With 5.1 and 12 marks from 20 disposals, Daniher turned in a huge effort, while Dayne Zorko was also influential with 30 possessions.

Jack Higgins kicked five goals for St Kilda and Max King three, while Jack Sinclair racked up 32 disposals.

Lachie Neale was given hell in a hard tag by Windhager, but the star Brisbane midfielder fought through a tough first half to finish with 20 disposals and seven clearances.

Brisbane were smashed 13-1 in clearances in the opening term, with Neale restricted to just three possessions.

But it mattered little to the Lions, who kicked seven goals to two in a dominant display as their slick ball movement proved too hot to handle.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon delivered an almighty spray at quarter time, and it seemed to work as the Saints kicked 4.5 to 3.3 in the second term.

Higgins kicked three of those goals, helping close the margin to 23 points at the long break.

Neale received three free kicks in the second term alone after the umpires finally started to notice Windhager's often over-zealous methods.

Brisbane also had success tagging, with Jarrod Berry tallying 15 first-half disposals while nullifying Jack Steele (six possessions).

The third quarter was a topsy-turvy affair, but the Lions made the most of some ill discipline from St Kilda to snare three late goals and kick out to a 37-point lead.

But just as all hope seemed lost, St Kilda stormed back in the final term, kicking 6.1 from eight inside 50s at one stage to close the margin to single figures before the Lions kicked clear.

AAP