IT WASN'T pretty, but West Coast has solidified its spot in the top eight with a 49-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles booted seven goals to one in the second quarter to fuel the 20.11 (131) to 12.10 (82) victory, with Josh Kennedy (five), Mark LeCras (four) and Jack Darling (four) amongst the goals.
They now enter next week's bye with an 8-5 win-loss record and face Essendon after their week off.
The under-siege Lions are now 1-12 and only percentage off the bottom after their ninth straight loss.
They were more competitive than in last week's loss to Fremantle – but never really troubled the Eagles.
Running defender Ryan Harwood went off with a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return.
JL on injuries: Harwood is a PCL - not to sure on an outcome just yet. Bell needs surgery and might miss the rest the of season with knee.
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) June 18, 2016
The absence of Nic Naitanui (Achilles) and Scott Lycett (discipline) in the ruck made little difference, and despite losing the clearances (44-32), the Eagles were able to negate any Lions midfield influence.
In an often dreary game, Andrew Gaff (28 disposals), Luke Shuey (26) and Elliot Yeo (21) were full of run, while livewire half-forward Jamie Cripps not only kicked 2.3, but set up three other goals in a terrific performance.
The Lions had 109 more disposals (445-336) than the Eagles, but chipped the ball sideways, lacked conviction and invited the Eagles to exert pressure, which they gladly did.
Coach Justin Leppitsch said errors killed his team.
"The positive is the guys in the second half didn't give up," Leppitsch said.
"(We were) Beaten for skill and a little bit of class in the end, but stoppages was our real issue.
"We won clearances, but it was the scores from clearances, they did it too easy.
"Most of them came from our fumbles, our-cough ups, and our inability to complete play, or missed handballs.
"It's alarming how many basic handball errors we made today."
Mitch Robinson busted his guts, keeping Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis to 16 disposals and having 38 of his own.
"That's how you kick a goal!" Robinson reels one through for the Lions #AFLLionsEagles https://t.co/MVaUKOfCoI
— AFL (@AFL) June 18, 2016
Pearce Hanley (37 and two goals), Tom Rockliff (38), Dayne Zorko (31) and Ryan Bastinac (29) all had nice numbers, but very little impact on the game.
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 5.6 7.8 12.10 (82)
WEST COAST 4.3 11.6 14.11 20.11 (131)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Walker 4, Hanley 2, Schache 2, Taylor, Robinson, Bastinac, Hipwood
West Coast: Kennedy 5, LeCras 4, Darling 4, Cripps 2, Giles, Masten, Hill, Shuey, Yeo
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Robinson, Zorko, Hanley, Gardiner, Rockliff
West Coast: Gaff, Kennedy, LeCras, Shuey, Yeo, Sheppard
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Harwood (knee)
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Hay, Meredith
Official crowd: 12,777 at the Gabba
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