Where and when: Gabba, Saturday, July 8, 1.45pm (11.45am AWST)

TV: Delayed on 7 in WA until 2.30pm. Live on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo from 11.30am

Last time we met: Brisbane 16.9 (105) def. West Coast 4.6 (30) at the Gabba, round eight, 2022

Severely undermanned and fielding two Covid contingency listed players in the team against one of the premiership fancies, the Eagles were always battling against the odds at the Gabba and the Lions cruised to a 75-point victory. Midway through the third term West Coast only trailed by 29 points before the margin blew out, with star wingman Hugh McCluggage and electric forward Charlie Cameron both doing plenty of damage with four goals apiece for the home side. Liam Ryan kicked three of West Coast’s four majors, while young ruck Callum Jamieson impressed with his competitive spirit, winning 13 hitouts and collecting 12 touches in his second game.

What it means for the Eagles: On paper it looks a daunting challenge, but the Eagles will be buoyed by their performance against St Kilda and their task is to bring the same intensity and desire to a venue where Brisbane has not lost in seven home games this year. West Coast might be rank outsiders, however last week was a step forward and the Eagles will want to build on that performance.

The stat: This will be the sixth consecutive clash between the sides at the Gabba, with the teams yet to face off at Optus Stadium since the glittering venue opened in 2018. 

The match-up: Tim Kelly v Lachie Neale

As has been the case for much of the season, one senior star goes out (Luke Shuey) and another returns to the engine room in Tim Kelly, who missed the spirited St Kilda loss due to illness. Shuey was the firestarter for West Coast last Sunday but couldn’t get up for the long trip to Queensland due to soreness. Plenty will fall on Kelly’s shoulders to front the onball division against Brisbane’s powerhouse midfield, led by Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale who racked up 34 touches, 10 clearances and kicked two goals in a rout or Richmond last round, with strong support from McCluggage (34) and Will Ashcroft (27). The Gabba is a short venue that scores can be kicked in quick succession from the centre and that midfield battle will be pivotal.

It’s a big week for: Jeremy McGovern

After a false start two weeks ago, the defensive colossus is back for his first game since round three’s RAC Derby. McGovern did everything he could to get back as quickly as possible from hamstring tendon surgery and the four-time All-Australian’s presence will make his teammates walk taller on Saturday.

Big call: Elijah Hewett to build on last round’s electric effort by breaking the 20-disposal mark (and kick another two goals) for the first time in his career.

A late Jack Gunston flurry saw Brisbane surge to an 81-point victory over the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba today.

After the Eagles had conceded seven goals in the first quarter they did well to limit the damage thereafter before Gunston took advantage of a constant supply to finish with six goals.

The former Hawthorn triple premiership player who came back from a three-week hiatus hammered home the control enjoyed by his team as the young Eagle tired. Having done well to reel in the dominance of the Lions they dropped away in the last 10 minutes and that saw Brisbane finish 16.20 (116) to 5.5 (35) victors.

Generally the Lions, through Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lions and Will Ashcroft held sway through the middle and the result was 62 inside 50 entries compared to just 29.

After holding back the flood of opportunities created by the Lions in the first 10 minutes of the match, Brisbane started to get a result for their dominance in and around the contest.

They scored seven goals from stoppage to put the Eagles on the back foot as the visitors struggled to get a meaningful forward 50 entry.

The Lions used the ball with zest and efficiency through the middle of the Gabba and were able to hit up targets inside the arc as Hugh McCluggage and Jack Dunstan proved dangerous, kicking two goals apiece for the term.

Key defenders Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern were doing their bit, intercepting some of those penetrating probes inside the defensive zone and eventually the Eagles hit back with the last two goals of the quarter.

Tim Kelly and Elijah Hewett provided some energy through the midfield and the forwards were looking more threatening through the increased opportunities.

In the second quarter the Eagles made it more of an arm wrestle and moved to shut down the Lions’ efficiency with numbers dropping behind the ball.

But a couple of defensive 50 turnovers opened the door and Brisbane led by 54 points at the main break.

The Eagles continued to stem the flow in the third quarter and despite Brisbane pushing within scoring distance persistently they conceded only three goals, while Oscar Allen managed one after working hard and taking a mark on the lead.

Key defender Jeremy McGovern, a big part of the defensive effort, was subbed out of the game as a precautionary measure at three-quarter time. Having missed 14 weeks the Eagles were taking no risks and injected Tom Cole into the game.

Brady Hough was also a positive, holding the dangerous Charlie Cameron goal-less.

Details
Brisbane                            7.3         10.8       13.14    16.20    116
West Coast Eagles              2.0          2.2         3.3       5.5         35
Goals – Brisbane: Gunston 6; McLuggage, Hipwood 2; McInerney, Bailey, Fletcher, Rayner, Starcevich, Wilmott.
West Coast Eagles: Darling, Hunt, Allen, J Williams, Kelly.
Best – Brisbane: Gunston, Neale, McCluggage, Ashcroft, Andrews, McInerney.
West Coast Eagles: Duggan, Barrass, Hough, Kelly, McGovern, Hewett.