1. Four changes were made at the selection table and all four decisions reaped positive returns. Harry Edwards replaced the injured Jeremy McGovern in defence, while Ryan Maric and Luke Edwards returned to play on the wings and Zane Trew was also added to the midfield mix. Maric and Luke Edwards had 15 and 16 possessions apiece, Harry Edwards oscillated between standing Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood and Trew, after a quiet first half, worked home strongly to finish with 20 possessions and four marks.

2. The biggest problem for the Eagles was stoppage clearances, particularly at centre bounces in the first half. Oscar McInerney was winning ruck knocks decisively and sending the likes of Cam Raynor, Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage on their way. The Lions won clearances 49-35 and centre clearances 15-13 (after the Eagles recalibrated in the second half) which resulted in an inside 50 advantage of 56-46 for the visitors.

07:10

Rd 18 highlights v Lions

The best moments from West Coast's encounter against Brisbane at Optus Stadium

3. A decision late in the third quarter to throw skipper Oscar Allen behind the ball had two benefits: 1. After a tough day opposed to Harris Andrews, the Lions defender with the go-go gadget arms, Allen was able to intercept a couple of opposition forward thrusts and 2. The confidence gained from couple of touches further up the ground got him going and he finished with three goals.

4. Young defender Brady Hough continued to build on his outstanding 2024 resume. He has regularly been given the task of standing the opposition’s most dangerous mid-sized or small forward and that was again the case. While Charlie Cameron kicked two goals one of them occurred with Hough off the ground and the Lions sharpshooter had just four possessions for the match. Meanwhile Hough had 18 touches and four marks in another impressive display.

12:15

Schofield post-match v Lions

Jarrad Schofield addresses the media following the side's close-loss to Brisbane

5. Combative midfielders Elliot Yeo and Harley Reid, rapidly forming a dynamic contested ball duo, headed the contested possession count as well as clearances for the Eagles. Yeo racked up 24 disposals, 15 of them contested and had six clearances while his young understudy accumulated 20 possessions, 11 of them contested and had a team-high seven clearances.