The West Coast Eagles battled hard against the odds, but ultimately faded to a 75-point defeat against premiership fancies Brisbane at the Gabba tonight, losing 4.6 (30) to 16.9 (105).
Midway through the third quarter the Eagles were in the contest, trailing by just 29 points and having a good period of control, but the Lions kicked a couple of goals in as many minutes to put the game out of reach.
With the classy Hugh McCluggage leading the charge with four goals on a wing, the Lions carried too much fire-power and blew out the margin with a seven-goal final term.
While it was another disappointing loss, the numbers around contested ball and clearances were relatively even and the Eagles cracked in.
Highlights were the performance of young ruckman Callum Jamieson who competed hard in the ruck against the mature Lions pair of Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort.
In just his second game, Jamieson with 12 possessions, four marks and 13 hit-outs and a couple of clearances.
WAFL Covid Contingency List players Jake Florenca and Declan Mountford also did their job, with Florenca gathering 19 possessions in his debut match.
Mountford came into the game in the last quarter after the medical sub was activated to replace Connor West (quad), who had also worked hard.
Down back the experienced pair of Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern again helped the Eagles hold back the tide, as they battled a 68-33 imbalance in the inside 50 count.
Jamaine Jones tried to provide some run out of defence while Jack Redden went head to head with Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and that was an interesting match-up.
The Eagles won enough ball, but were not as clean as the opposition in taking the ball into space.
They could kick only four goals for the match and Liam Ryan kicked three of them.
Details
Brisbane 3.3 5.6 9.7 16.9 (105)
Wesr Coast Eagles 1.0 1.1 3.2 4.6 (30)
Goals
Brisbane: Cameron, McCluggage 4;Raynor 2; T Berry, J Bery, Bailey, Coleman, McInerney, Payne.
West Coast Eagles: Ryan 3; Darling.
Best
Brisbane: McCluggage, Neale, Zorko, Cameron, Andrews, McInerney.
West Coast Eagles: Hurn, McGovern, Redden, Jones, Jamieson, West.
Injuries
Brisbane: McStay (ankle)
West Coast Eagles: West (quad)
