The Brisbane Lions have further entrenched themselves in the top three while continuing the agony of the West Coast Eagles, running out 81-point winners in the most predictable rout of round 17.
The clear highlight was Jack Gunston, after the forward was omitted from the Lions for a month. The former Hawthorn star kicked an equal career-high six goals in an outstanding return, coming back to the field after an early clash of heads with Eagles midfielder Tim Kelly.
More encouragingly, Gunston looked fit and was consistently engaged in the game, featuring in 15 scores.
Zac Bailey moves well in the traffic.Credit: Getty Images
The Lions were seven goals up in the space of 20 minutes before the Eagles registered a score, and the game was done. The rest was academic, and both sides struggled with the contrasting light as shadows crept across the ground.
The Eagles had salvaged a little respectability by running St Kilda to the wire after their historic thrashing by the Sydney Swans two weeks ago. But there would be no backing it up in the blazing winter sunshine at the Gabba.
Lions coach Chris Fagan insisted pre-game that his side wasn’t focused on percentage, being more worried about securing the four points after the Eagles’ spirited showing against the Saints. But with a scoreline of 16.20, the Lions should have won by much more.
Will Ashcroft, one of the favourites in a strong Rising Star field, was outstanding again, especially early when most of the damage was done. Cam Rayner, Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons were all strong contributors in the midfield.
The Eagles also used a short-kicking, high-possession game to try to limit the damage on the scoreboard. Perhaps it was negative coaching by Adam Simpson, but with another Swans-style wipe-out a distinct possibility at quarter time, it was forgivable.
But it left them bereft in attack, with three goals from just 19 entries inside 50 in three quarters giving their supporters little to cheer about. Defender Jeremy McGovern performed well on return from injury, before being rested at three-quarter time.
Brady Hough was one of the few winners for the Eagles, holding Charlie Cameron goalless, and Jayden Hunt, Liam Duggan and Kelly all continued to try hard. Too many others are getting games for lack of player availability. Andrew Gaff had just six touches.
For the Lions, it’s a game they’ll swiftly bank and move on from. They remain in touch with the top two, and at least two games clear of Melbourne in third place. They face the Demons next week at the MCG; that promises to be a much more enlightening test of exactly where they sit in the pecking order.
Brisbane Lions 7.3 10.8 13.14 16.20 (116)
West Coast 2.0 2.2 3.3 5.5 (35)
Goals – Brisbane Lions: Gunston 6 McCluggage 2 Hipwood 2 Fletcher Rayner Wilmot Starcevich Bailey McInerney. West Coast: Darling Hunt Allen Williams Kelly.
Best – Brisbane Lions: Gunston Neale Andrews Ashcroft Rayner McCluggage. West Coast: Kelly Hough Hunt McGovern Duggan.
Injuries – Brisbane Lions: Nil. West Coast: Nil.
Umpires: Fleer Dore Adair Jones.
