Reigning premier Brisbane has made a statement, holding a resurgent West Coast to its lowest score under new coach Daisy Pearce and powering away to win by 45 points at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.
The red-hot Lions improved their record to 4-1 and jumped to second on the ladder after enjoying a big percentage boost, keeping the Eagles goalless for three quarters before winning 8.13 (61) to 2.4 (16).
The defending premiers were outstanding in their fourth straight win, dominating the contested ball (108-82) and enjoying a weight of possession that they turned into repeat forward entries (44-23) through crisp corridor handballs.
If it wasn't for some wayward kicking, most notably from Sophie Conway (1.5) it would have been a much bigger win.
Conway was among the stars regardless, finishing with 21 disposals and six inside 50s, with Ally Anderson (23 and five tackles) and Jade Ellenger (18 and two goals) also outstanding.
While challenged by a top-tier opponent and a condensed fixture, it was a reality check for West Coast, which had made a bright start to life under Pearce but was trailing by 44 points at the last change, with the game effectively over.
Brisbane raced out of the blocks and added three goals in the opening five minutes, including two for tall forward Taylor Smith, as the visitors continually found space behind the Eagles' defenders.
Using an extra midfielder at stoppages as the Lions deployed theirs in defence, the Eagles got on top in clearances (6-3) but couldn't get their ball-movement in motion and conceded a massive 15 inside 50s to two.
The game tightened up through the second and third quarters as the Eagles ramped up their pressure and held the Lions to a combined three goals through the middle stages.
Things opened up late as West Coast finally broke through with back-to-back goals, bringing the margin back under 50 points but getting a good look at how the best teams in the competition are going.
Ella Roberts was outstanding again for the hosts, finishing with 24 touches and 10 marks in a four-quarter display, with strong support from veteran recruit Ali Drennan (27) and tough nut Bella Lewis (19).
Charlie Thomas continued her stellar form with 20 disposals and co-captain Emma Swanson (18) never stopped trying.
The Eagles suffered another injury blow when Sophie McDonald copped another head knock upon her return, while Zoe Wakfer limped off late with an ankle injury.
West Coast travels to face Greater Western Sydney for week five next Sunday.
WEST COAST 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.4 (16)
BRISBANE 3.4 5.9 6.11 8.13 (61)
GOALS
West Coast: Gibson, Lackay
Brisbane: Ellenger 2, Smith 2, Conway, Davidson, Hickie, Mullins
BEST
West Coast: Roberts, Drennan, Thomas, Swanson
Brisbane: Ellenger, Anderson, Grider, Conway, Smith, Mullins
INJURIES
West Coast: McDonald (concussion), Z.Wakfer (ankle)
Brisbane: Nil
LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Nil
Brisbane: Luka Yoshida-Martin and Sophie Peters replaced in the selected side by Dakota Davidson and Shannon Campbell
Crowd: TBC at Mineral Resources Park
