Lions compound Eagles' misery

The Brisbane Lions remain in touch with the top-four after recording a comprehensive 46-point victory over the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba on Saturday.

Brisbane led at every change, were able to score in bursts and were never seriously threatened by a sloppy West Coast line-up, eventually winning 17.11 (113) to 9.13 (67).

Daniel Bradshaw (four goals) and Jonathan Brown, who powered on despite some niggling pre-match injuries, provided some direction for the home side while an opportunist Jamie Charman chimed in with three majors.

Former Perth boy Bradd Dalziell staged the best statistical debut in the AFL collecting 32 possessions in the midfield while the old firm of Luke Power and Simon Black were other strong contributors.

The Eagles had 84 more possessions than the Lions, were competitive in patches but purposeful entries into their forward 50 metres were few and far between.

Dean Cox dominated in the ruck and around the ground, Ashley Hansen worked hard to provide a target up forward while Andrew Embley and Chad Fletcher were high possession winners.

West Coast made the early running in the first quarter, dominating play and kicking the first goal through a free kick to Quinten Lynch.

But the home side worked their way into the contest and kicked four majors in nine minutes to establish a handy break.

The Eagles remained competitive; however the Lions had the edge and went into the first change 13 points up thanks to a late Travis Johnstone goal.

Majors to Mark LeCras and Lynch gave the Eagles some hope in the second term but their run was short-lived.

Brisbane were impressive moving the ball into an open forward line with Brown and Bradshaw growing in confidence.

Charman, who was well beaten by Dean Cox, also bobbed up with some handy possessions and two goals.

Brisbane was well on its way to victory when it went into the long break 35 points in front.

They then set out to improve their percentage with Mitch Clark, Charman and Bradshaw majors in the first 10 minutes of the third term extending the lead to 54 points.

The game had lost its sting as the Lions were on top in the midfield and pushing the ball forward with regularity.

However the Eagles added some interest to the contest with a mini-revival before the final change. The hard-working Hansen collected two goals in quick succession and LeCras chimed in with a long major to narrow the difference to 33 points at three quarter time.

West Coast couldn't sustain the pressure in the fourth quarter with the Lions getting the first three goals of the term through Ashley McGrath, Anthony Corrie and Bradshaw.

The game unravelled into a loose contest during the final minutes with Ben McKinley's after-the-siren major a rare highlight for the visitors.

BRISBANE LIONS: 5.4, 11.5, 14.7, 17.11 (113)
WEST COAST: 3.3, 5.6, 8.10, 9.13 (67)

GOALS:BRISBANE LIONS: Bradshaw 4, Brown 3, Charman 3, Johnstone 2, Corrie 2, Drummond, Clark, McGrath
WEST COAST: Lynch 2, LeCras 2, Hansen 2, McNamara, Wirrpanda, McKinley
BEST: BRISBANE LIONS: Dalziell, Power, Black, Bradshaw, Brown, Drummond
WEST COAST:Cox, Hansen, Embley, Fletcher, A.Selwood, Staker
INJURIES:BRISBANE LIONS: -
WEST COAST: Glass (groin)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: -
UMPIRES: Nicholls, Ellis, Mollison
CROWD: 27,784 at the Gabba

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Bradd Dalziell (Brisbane Lions)
2. Luke Power (Brisbane Lions)
1. Simon Black (Brisbane Lions)