The Gold Coast SUNS' pre-season preparations kicked up a notch on Friday, welcoming the Brisbane Lions to the Austworld Centre for the first of two scheduled pre-season matches.

In testing conditions, the SUNS kicked the game's first and final pair of majors with the Lions running out eventual 24-point victors in an outing in which the SUNS got minutes into the legs of 24 of its 30-player squad.

Darcie Davies converted her chances on the back of two strong contested marks, kicking the game's first goal and another early in the third quarter while Jordan Membrey finished with a game-high three majors.

Jamie Stanton and Daisy D'Arcy ensured the SUNS finished with a flurry, slotting two goals against the breeze in the final term.

The clash saw six players got their first taste of action in SUNS colours. Katie Lynch, Charlotte Wilson and Kiara Bischa impressed in defence, former Lion Ella Smith was heavily involved around the contest while Annabel Kievit and Taya Oliver clocked up the kilometres on the outside.

Speaking post-match, Head Coach Cameron Joyce says his side will take plenty of the hitout.

"We thought it was a reasonable sort of day as a first hitout. Playing against the reigning premiers, we knew the challenge was going to be really high, which is great. We had to deal with some tricky conditions too, which is just another factor and a good test," Joyce said.

"It was good to give the opportunity to 24 out of our 30 players as well.

"We want to keep backing in what we’ve been training and what we’ve been able to improve. It’s about making sure that we get the maximum out of these two games, both from an opportunity and player sense and in terms of our game style and how we want to play

The SUNS next face the Western Bulldogs as part of a triple header at People First Stadium (5:15pm first bounce) on Saturday, August 17.