A gallant West Coast pushed reigning premier Brisbane all the way at the Gabba on Sunday before falling short by 19 points.
The Eagles, thrashed by 87 points just a week ago by Gold Coast, gave the premiers all they could handle for three quarters, leading at the final change before succumbing 14.10 (94) to 11.9 (75).
After conceding the game’s first five goals, Brisbane had to call on all its experience to first edge its way back into the contest and eventually over-run the visitors in oppressive conditions.
The Lions kicked 10 goals to three after half-time to win, as players from both teams suffered from cramp in the heat and humidity.
It was a an engrossing contest from the outset, with Andrew McQualter’s men stunning the hosts.
They were desperate, harassed Brisbane into constant error and were set-up superbly behind the ball when the Lions won it back in the first half.
Tim Kelly (29) and Liam Baker (24) were excellent in the middle of the ground, while Liam Ryan (three goals and an assist from 16 touches) was a constant headache inside 50.
West Coast quickly silenced the bumper Gabba crowd of 30,012, outworking the hosts in the early exchanges to blast out to a 31-point advantage.
Tyrell Dewar was indicative of his team’s endeavour, kicking two goals from nine first quarter disposals as he stormed up and down a wing.
If the Eagles weren’t winning the ball at the stoppage, they were pressuring Brisbane into uncharacteristic errors.
When Oscar Allen got a freakish off-break bounce from his speculative 50m effort, the visitors had the game’s biggest lead.
The Lions stemmed the bleeding late in the first term and then exchanged goals in the second, but the Eagles still held a four-goal advantage at the main break.
After wrestling back the advantage, Brisbane could have won by more if it was a little more efficient, finishing with 12 more clearance wins and 12 more inside 50s.
Lachie Neale bounced back from his quiet round one performance, leading the way with 35 disposals and a goal, while Callum Ah Chee’s three third quarter goals were significant.
Dayne Zorko (28), Jaspa Fletcher (18 and a goal) and Jarrod Berry (26) all had big influences, as did Neale’s fellow co-captain Harris Andrews.
The Eagles had a major focus on improving at the contest after being routed by the Suns, and only lost the contested possessions by one against a hardened outfit.
West Coast will take plenty of positives as the team heads home to host Fremantle in RAC Derby No.60 at Optus Stadium next Sunday.
BRISBANE 1.2 4.3 9.6 14.10 (94)
WEST COAST 5.2 8.3 9.9 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Brisbane: Ah Chee 3, Morris 3, McLachlan 2, Hipwood 2, Neale, Dunkley, Bailey, Fletcher
West Coast: Ryan 3, Dewar 2, Brockman 2, Petruccelle, Hall, Cripps, Allen
BEST
Brisbane: Neale, Fletcher, Andrews, Zorko, Berry, McCluggage
West Coast: Baker, Ryan, Kelly, Dewar, Edwards, Maric
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Conor McKenna (replaced Bruce Reville in the third quarter)
West Coast: Jack Petruccelle (replaced Bailey Williams in the third quarter)
Crowd: 30,012 at the Gabba
