WEST Coast has re-asserted its flag hopes with a 98-point demolition of the Brisbane Lions at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

Finishing with a stunning 11-goal final term, the Eagles led from start to finish in the 18.7 (175) to 12.5 (77) romp.

The win came with a couple sour notes however with captain Darren Glass reported for rough conduct for a late bump on Lions skipper Jonathan Brown.

Tempers threatened to boil over as Brown, who has suffered two serious facial fractures over the past two years, lay on the ground.

The Lions skipper soon recovered to kick the goal but Glass faces a nervous wait ahead of next Saturday's derby against Fremantle.

Star midfielder Daniel Kerr was also substituted from the match in the third quarter after tweaking what appeared to be a calf muscle.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui played one of the finest matches of his career, collecting 36 hit-outs, 14 disposals and three goals - stats that don't do his game justice.

The result was never in doubt after West Coast booted seven goals to two in the opening quarter, with West Coast's 12th win of the year moving it back to within four points of Collingwood and Adelaide

The Lions (7-10) remain in 13th spot on the table, and were dealt a further blow when defender Matt Maguire injured his right ankle in the third quarter.

The Eagles had winners all over the park, with returning midfielder Luke Shuey, Beau Waters, Andrew Gaff and Matt Priddis all finding plenty of the ball, while forward Jack Darling booted five goals.

West Coast led by 63 points at the final change, and inflicted even more pain in the final quarter with an 11-goal blitz.

Along with his high-marking, Naitanui was just as dominant at ground level.

Among his many highlights was an excellent running goal in the final quarter, with Naitanui fending off Todd Banfield before sprinting 30m to kick truly.


WEST COAST             7.4   11.5  17.6    28.7  (175)
BRISBANE LIONS     2.0    5.2    7.3     12.5   (77)
 
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 5, Hill 4, Hams 3, Naitanui 3, Hurn 2, Cox 2, Gaff, Waters, Masten, Priddis, Shuey, Scott Selwood, McGinnity, Lynch, Sheppard  
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Zorko 2, Hawksley 2, Merrett 2, Redden, Adcock, Polkinghorne
 
BEST
West Coast: Naitanui, Waters, Gaff, Hurn, Darling, Glass  
Brisbane Lions: Redden, Black, Adcock, Raines  
 
INJURIES
West Coast: Daniel Kerr (calf)
Brisbane Lions: Matt McGuire (ankle)
 
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Patrick McGinnity replaced Daniel Kerr in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Todd Banfield replaced Matt McGuire in the third quarter
 
Reports: Darren Glass (West Coast) engaged in rough conduct on Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) in the fourth quarter
 
Umpires: Fila, Nicholls, Mitchell
 
Official crowd: 35,767 at Patersons Stadium 

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs