Where and when: the Gabba, Saturday, May 7, 7.25pm AEST (5.25pm AWST)
TV: Live on 7mate in Perth, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: Brisbane 19.11 (125) def. West Coast 13.9 (87) at the Gabba, round 23, 2021
The Eagles flew to Queensland still with a slim chance of playing finals and a youthful side gave a solid account of themselves before being blown away late, with defeat ending the club’s run of six-straight September campaigns. Back-to-back goals by Jamie Cripps to start the final term reduced the margin to just five points and gave West Coast a sniff of a major upset before the Lions responded. Midfield trio Nic Naitanui (24 disposals, 11 clearances), Luke Shuey (34, 12) and Elliot Yeo (30, five) were outstanding, while Jack Darling and Liam Ryan both booted three majors.
What it means for the Eagles: Circumstances have once again altered the playing field for a team that just hasn't been able to get settled in 2022. West Coast’s shocking run of injuries has again been compounded by eight players – albeit some of them injured – entering the AFL Health and Safety Protocols, forcing the team to travel east with four Covid Contingency List players – Jake Florenca (South Fremantle), Declan Mountford (Claremont), Angus Schumacher (East Perth) and Logan Young (Claremont) - and at least two will play. Make no mistake, the Eagles will still give it everything at the Gabba, but facing the Lions in their den will be a mammoth task.
The stat: This will be the fifth meeting in a row between West Coast and Brisbane at the Gabba. West Coast beat the Lions at the venue to secure a top-two spot in round 23, 2018 on the way to the flag but the club has lost the past three clashes by 44, 30, and 38 points.
The match-up: Tim Kelly v Lachie Neale
The second-placed Lions have got stars all over the park but it starts in the middle and 2020 Brownlow medallist Neale is arguably in career-best form as the key cog in Brisbane’s engine room. Neale is coming off a 37-disposal, 11-clearance and one-goal effort in the Lions’ impressive road win over Sydney, and looms as a massive headache for West Coast. The Eagles will be hoping Kelly – the only member of the club’s first-choice midfield quartet available – can go toe-to-toe with him and produce a big performance to help the visitors compete and provide more opportunity to a hungry forward line.
It’s a big week for: Matthew Knights
In his eighth match as part of West Coast’s coaching group Knights will step in for Adam Simpson, who has entered the AFL Health and Safety Protocols, and lead the team against the red-hot Lions. He brings enthusiasm and a wealth of experience to the role, having coached Essendon in 66 games from 2008-10 before joining Geelong, where he spent a decade supporting Chris Scott.
Big call: Ever-reliable veteran Shannon Hurn to offer plenty of rebound from defence and finish with the most disposals of any player.
