A spirited West Coast pushed flag contender Brisbane all the way on Sunday to end a challenging week, going down in an entertaining clash by 13 points at Optus Stadium.

The Eagles went right to the finish in a high-pressure game and looked capable of stealing the match late in a tribute to departed coach Adam Simpson, but the Lions were composed and steadied to win 16.10 (106) to 14.9 (93).

Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale had plenty to do with that, winning a massive 13 clearances from his 34 disposals and kicking two goals, including a running effort from 50m in the tense final moments to likely secure another three votes.

He had plenty of midfield support as the Lions made clearance dominance the foundation of their game, winning the stoppage battle 49-35 as Hugh McCluggage (32 and seven inside 50s) and Josh Dunkley (26 and a goal) rode shotgun.

Six Lions kicked two goals, including Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, in an even team performance that included long passages of slick ball movement and polished inside 50 kicking.

West Coast's match committee shook up team selection, but also got strong performances from senior midfielders Tim Kelly (29 and seven inside 50s) and Elliot Yeo (24 and six clearances).

The team was without co-captain Liam Duggan for three quarters after the midfielder suffered concussion in a dangerous tackle from Lion s' forward Charlie Cameron.

Interim coach Jarrad Schofield's impact appeared instant as the Eagles jumped into the match with good intensity and took the game with run and handball, kicking the opening goal and putting the Lions on the back foot.

They looked the better team for most of the quarter in all areas except the stoppages, but the Lions took their chances with back-to-back goals, receiving a gift when Harley Reid drifted innocently into the protected area and sent Cameron close to the goal line.

Both teams maintained their pressure in the second quarter and went goal for goal early, with Yeo sparking the Eagles with a 50m set shot and Dunkley countering for the Lions with a clever conversion off the ground.

Brisbane’s clearance dominance continued through the second term as Dunkley, McCluggage and particularly Neale got on top, but it didn't convert to scoreboard dominance as West Coast fought hard to stay in the game and kept the margin to 10 points at half-time.

It became more of a factor in the third term, however, as the Lions built a 22-point buffer through crisp ball-movement and superb inside 50 kicking, with Cam Rayner exploding from congestion multiple times to become a factor in the game with two goals.

The Eagles looked more than capable of a late charge in the fourth quarter and played with spirit and physicality as they rallied behind a loud home crowd, cutting the margin to 12 points with 10 minutes to play and getting on top in most phases.

Young Brisbane forward Kai Lohmann emerged as the player to settle Brisbane, kicking two goals and benefiting from another forward-half 50m penalty as the Lions leapt into the top four with their third straight road win.

West Coast has a quick turnaround before facing St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Details

WEST COAST 3.2 6.3 9.4 14.9 (93)

BRISBANE 4.4 7.7 12.8 16.10 (106) 

GOALS

West Coast: Allen 3, Waterman 2, Ryan 2, Kelly, Yeo, L.Edwards, Cripps, J.Williams, Hutchinson, Brockman

Brisbane: Cameron 2, Daniher 2, Rayner 2, Hipwood 2, Lohmann 2, Neale 2, Dunkley, Ashcroft, Bailey, Ah Chee

BEST

West Coast: Ryan, Yeo, Hough, Kelly, Allen, B.Williams Reid

Brisbane: Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Daniher, Rayner, McInerney, Lohmann 

INJURIES

West Coast: Duggan (concussion), Brockman (ankle)

Brisbane: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Tyler Brockman (replaced Liam Duggan in the second quarter)

Brisbane: Bruce Reville (replaced Logan Morris in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 41,489 at Optus Stadium