A desperate bid by the West Coast Eagles to keep their season alive ended in vain at the Gabba as they slipped to 39–point defeat to Brisbane tonight.
The final margin was not reflective of the outstanding contest that ensued for most of the match, the Lions blowing the game away when they got the scent of a top four finish in their nostrils. They secured it with the final kick of the game, a goal from Charlie Cameron.
For the Eagles, who need to win to be any chance of playing at the pointy end, it will mean they will watch on in September for the first time in six years.
The final quarter started with consecutive goals to Jamie Cripps which brought the margin back to five points and the Eagles were energised.
But the Lions responded and snuffed out the Eagles season with a succession of goals breaking the game open in the middle stages of the quarter.
After as bright start to the game, when the Eagles kicked the first two goals of the opening term, Brisbane established a run-on and kicked six goals in succession.
It seemed like a familiar tale as the Eagles struggled to stem the flow, but they remained committed to the contest and worked their way back into the game.
With Nic Naitanui doing his thing in the ruck, Mark Hutchings nullifying the influence of Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and milestone man Elliot Yeo imposing himself on the game the Eagles clawed their way back.
They were better defensively, were more cohesive through the midfield and had lively forwards, particularly Liam Ryan, who kicked three goals before half time.
Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps were also threatening and at half-time the margin was back to 11 points. There remained a pulse in the Eagles.
Their intensity and will was frustrating the opposition and they were in a position to press on after the long break.
The third quarter ebbed and flowed with first one team and then the other enjoying the ascendancy as the Eagles continued the fight to keep their season alive.
After the Lions kicked the first couple of goals of the term, West Coast fought back, again through the agency of Naitanui, Yeo and Shuey, while defensively Tom Barrass, Tom Cole and Luke Foley held up under pressure.
It was just 17 points at the last change as the Eagles refused to yield.
Details
Brisbane 7.2 10.4 13.6 19.11 (125)
West Coast Eagles 3.3 8.5 10.7 13.9 (87)
Goals
Brisbane: Daniher 4; Berry, Cameron 3; McCarthy, McStay 2; McCluggage, Neale, Lyons, Zorko, Rich.
West Coast Eagles: Ryan, Darling 3, Cripps, Vardy 2; Waterman, Allen, Jones.
Best
Brisbane: Rich, Daniher, Lyons, Zorko, Berry, McStay.
West Coast Eagles: Naitanui, Yeo, Shuey, Darling, Ryan, Cripps
Attendance 28,145
