BRISBANE has stunned reigning premiers West Coast, recording an impressive 44-point win at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Electrifying small forwards Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy lifted the Lions after a poor first quarter to help their side run out to a 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) victory.
Brisbane enjoyed a run of nine unanswered goals from early in the second quarter to the fourth term, killing off the match to their advantage.
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McCarthy shone in his first game for the Lions, with the ex-Cat kicking a career-high four goals.
Cameron (three goals) returned to the rich vein of form he hit last year before a foot injury ended the second half of his season.
A sensational second quarter goal had the 20,029-strong Gabba crowd on their feet, with Cameron beating Tom Cole in a foot race to a loose ball in the goal square.
Despite a desperate tackle from Cole, Cameron was able to get boot to ball and set the Lions comeback in motion.
Prize recruit Lachie Neale also starred in his Brisbane debut, with an influential and team-high 29 possessions.
Dom Sheed picked up where he left off after his 2018 Grand Final, recording a game high 38 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
But he was almost a lone hand for the Eagles who, after quarter-time, only managed to score two more goals for the match.
The Lions looked out of the contest at the first break after the Eagles piled on six straight goals – including three in the last four minutes – to give the visitors a 27-point lead at quarter-time.
However, Brisbane turned the tables in the second term, with small forwards McCarthy and Cameron scoring two goals each to help the Lions outscore their opponents by seven goals to one.
The Eagles were without six players from their premiership winning team last year and had to do with a largely makeshift forward line due to injuries to Josh Kennedy, Willie Rioli and Jamie Cripps.
Tall forward Oscar Allen started strongly with two goals, while Liam Ryan also showed his trademark pace.
It was the first time Brisbane has beaten West Coast since 2012, with the Eagles winning the previous eight games by an average margin of 50 points.
Lion Darcy Gardiner’s inclusion after missing out on preseason matches as he recovered from a PCL injury paid off, with the dashing defender putting in a solid display.
BRISBANE 1.5 8.6 11.10 15.12 (102)
WEST COAST 6.2 7.5 7.5 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Brisbane: McCarthy 4, Cameron 3, Rayner 2, Neale, Mathieson, McCluggage, Bastinac, Rich, Zorko
West Coast: Allen 2, Darling 2, Sheed, Yeo, Ryan, Venables
BEST
Brisbane: McCluggage, Berry, Neale, McCarthy, Mathieson, Cameron
West Coast: Sheed, Shuey, Barrass, Yeo
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McInerney, Williamson, Wallace
Official crowd: 20,029 at the Gabba
