THE BRISBANE Lions' impressive end-of-season form has continued, however once again they have fallen short, losing to West Coast by eight points at the Gabba.
Last week the Lions were applauded after a three goal loss to reigning premier Collingwood, and this week they were brave again but did not get the points against its top-four opponent.
It was a night of emotion and passion and ended with Lions veteran Luke Power announcing his retirement.
West Coast trailed by 29 points at the 20-minute mark of the third quarter, but found their run and kicked eight of the last 10 goals to storm home, winning 13.11 (89) to 11.15 (81).
Post-match, Power - who played 282 games including premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003 - announced his retirement on the field to a rousing applause and a guard of honour from the Eagles.
It was the first win for West Coast over the Lions since 2008 and their first win at the Gabba since 2006.
For the Lions, it was a familiar tale in a disappointing season, conceding a fourth quarter lead for the fifth time at the Gabba this year.
They entered the final term with a slender two-point lead, but Quinten Lynch - who was terrific all night with 25 disposals - snatched the lead with a snap around his body early in the term.
Despite a quick reply from Sam Sheldon, goals to Brad Ebert, Chris Masten (after a tackle and holding the ball decision against Daniel Rich) and Andrew Gaff sealed the win.
In a dirty night for the hosts, they played three quarters without utility Brent Staker who injured the same knee he had LARS surgery on earlier this season.
Staker seemed to jar his right knee late in the first quarter, hobbled off, and was replaced by substitute Patrick Karenzis.
For two-and-a-half quarters the Lions had control and had built a seemingly unassailable 29-point lead in the slippery conditions before the Eagles' revival.
After not kicking a goal for 50 minutes of game-time through the second and third quarters, a Mark Nicoski snap and goal started the comeback.
With the Lions struggling to break West Coast's forward press, further goals to Luke Shuey, Chris Masten and an amazing left-footed checkside kick from Ashton Hams on the siren reduced the margin to two points at the last change.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
The Lions handled the slippery conditions better at the start, kicking two quick goals before the Eagles made a meaningful entry into their 50m. West Coast bounced back, with two goals of their own before Power kicked the Lions' third. Mark Nicoski immediately replied for the Eagles and Matt Priddis gave them the lead with his first goal. The Lions made their substitution early, with Brent Staker leaving the ground with what looked like a knee injury.
West Coast Eagles by 4 points.
SECOND QUARTER
Brisbane Lions again started with a bang, with Tom Rockliff providing an early highlight, catching a loose ball on the volley to kick the Lions first for the quarter. Five minutes later, substitute Patrick Karnezis had his first. The next goal would not come for another 11 minutes but when it did, through the Lions’ Josh Drummond, the Lions had a 15-point lead, the biggest of the match. The Eagles were kept goalless in the second quarter.
Brisbane Lions by 13 points.
THIRD QUARTER
The Lions kicked the first two goals of the third quarter and led by 29 points. Nicoski then kicked West Coast’s first goal since quarter time in the 21st minute and it was immediately followed by a Luke Shuey goal to cut the margin to 17 points. The Eagles were suddenly hot and Ashton Hams kicked a freakish goal from the sideline on the three-quarter time siren to make it a two-point game.
Brisbane Lions by 2 points.
FOURTH QUARTER
Quinten Lynch kicked the first goal of the quarter give West Coast the lead for the first time since the second quarter, but Sam Sheldon's skidding goal had the Lions in front again four minutes later. However, goals to Brad Ebert, Chris Masten and Andrew Gaff followed, ensuring a West Coast win but the Lions kept fighting.
West Coast by 8 points.
West Coast 5.2 5.5 9.10 13.11 (89)
Brisbane Lions 4.4 7.6 9.12 11.15 (81)
GOALS
West Coast: Masten 3, Nicoski 2, Kennedy, Ebert, LeCras, Hams, Shuey, Priddis, Lynch, Gaff
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff 2, Rich, Redden, Drummond, Power, Polkinghorne, Adcock, Karnezis, Cornelius, Sheldon
BEST
West Coast: Lynch, Gaff, Priddis, Masten, Shuey
Brisbane Lions: Black, Raines, Rich, Hanley, Rockliff
INJURIES
West Coast: Cox (eye)
Brisbane Lions: Staker (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Dean Cox replaced by Ashley Smith in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Brent Staker (knee) replaced by Patrick Karnezis in the first quarter
Reports: Josh Kennedy (West Coast) for striking Mitch Golby in the fourth quarter
Umpires: McBurney, Ryan, Mollison
Official crowd: 13,500 at the Gabba
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
