The West Coast Eagles have avoided complete humiliation, yet still walked away from the Gabba with a 81-point loss at the hands of Brisbane.
The Eagles were coming off their most competitive game in months against St Kilda in Round 17, a clash they laid some 92 tackles in.
Plenty of eyes were on Saturday’s contest to see if Adam Simpson’s side could repeat the dose. But those optimists were no doubt left feeling flat, with West Coast failing to bring the effort yet again.
In the 16.20 (116) – 5.5 (35) loss, the Eagles could only manage 43 tackles, with just three coming inside 50.
Brisbane was quick to jump out to a commanding lead and booted the first seven goals within 26 minutes to spark significant fears for fans out west.
But the Eagles, to their credit, kept an admittedly inaccurate Brisbane side to just nine further goals for the game.
In a familiar story for Chris Fagan, his midfield dominated and used the ball superbly to cut the Eagles to ribbons all day.
Will Ashcroft (28 disposals at 96 per cent efficiency), Lachie Neale (21 touches, nine clearances), Hugh McLuggage (19 disposals, two goals) and Jarryd Lyons (29 possessions, 13 contested), were all among the best players on the Gabba, while Jack Gunston also starred.
Less than a month after he told Fagan he wasn’t deserving of a spot in the Lions’ team, Gunston returned and was his side’s best forward. The 31-year-old booted six goals, despite the welcome return of Jeremy McGovern for Eagles fans.
McGovern hadn’t played since Round 3 with hamstring troubles but took nine grabs among 20 disposals before being subbed off at three quarter time. The Eagles said it was a plan to play the 31-year-old on managed minutes.
Brisbane’s win saw its percentage boosted by six points, now less than six behind Collingwood’s of 137.1 per cent.
However, Fagan’s men are still two wins behind the Magpies.
While Brisbane took care of business, the fallout and heat will continue on West Coast, who proved that last week’s impressive performance couldn’t be backed up.
Adam Simpson’s side remains tied to the bottom of the ladder.
FULL SCORE
Brisbane Lions: 7.3, 10.8, 13.14, 16.20. (116)
West Coast Eagles: 2.0, 2.2, 3.3, 5.5. (35)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Gunston 5, McLuggage 2, Hipwood 2, Starcevich, Fletcher, McInerney, Rayner, Bailey, Wilmot
West Coast Eagles: Hunt, Kelly, Williams, Allen, Darling
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Gunston, Ashcroft, Neale, McLuggage, Andrews
West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Duggan, McGovern, Hunt, Hough
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: N/A
West Coast Eagles: N/A