2012 AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON: ROUND 18
Brisbane Lions (7-9, 13th) v West Coast 11-5, 5th)
Sunday 29 July 2012
Patersons Stadium @ 2.40pm (local time)
NEAFL: BRISBANE LIONS RESERVES
Brisbane Lions Reserves (12-3, 1st) v Mt Gravatt (4-10, 8th)
Saturday 28 July 2012
Dittmer Park @ 1.30pm (local time)
LIONS v WEST COAST HEAD TO HEAD
The Lions have won 10 of their 24 matches against West Coast for a winning percentage of 42%.
Biggest win: 100 points @ The Gabba in Round 17 1999
Biggest loss: 79 points @ The Gabba in Round 7 1997
Most goals (for): Alastair Lynch (8) @ The Gabba in Round 12 2003
Most goals (against): Quinten Lynch (8) @ The Gabba in Round 20 2006
RECENT HISTORY
2008: Round 16 - 17.11 (113) to 9.13 (67) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 46
2009: Round 1 - 14.11 (95) to 13.8 (86) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 9
2010: Round 1 - 16.18 (114) to 12.10 (82) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 32
2010: Round 19 - 10.10 (70) to 9.11 (65) @ Subiaco (N) - Won by 5
2011: Round 23 - 11.15 (81) to 13.11 (89) @ The Gabba - Lost by 8
2012: Round 10 - 16.6 (102) to 15.10 (100) @ The Gabba - Won by 2
LAST TIME THEY MET
The Lions hosted ladder-leaders West Coast at the Gabba in Round 10 in what would turn out to be one of the most memorable games of the season.
Entering the game as heavy underdogs, the Lions held the visitors to an even match for much of the game, until the Eagles appeared to gain control in the third term, heading into the final break with a 14-point lead.
However, a host of heroes from the Lions piled on eight goals to five in a thrilling final term, while some outstanding work in defence saw Niall McKeever outrun Eagle Jack Darling to save a crucial goal.
Ultimately it was forward James Polkinghorne who kicked the match-winner - a booming 60m torpedo that put the Lions in front with 90 seconds remaining.
Defensive general Jed Adcock and ball-magnet Tom Rockliff were among the best for the Lions, while “super-sub” Josh Green was worth his weight in gold with three quick goals after entering the game at three-quarter time.
FAST FOOTY FACTS
Lions Statistical Leaders (AFL Top Ten)
Marks: 10th Jonathan Brown (102)
Tackles: 9th Jack Redden (94)
Rebound 50s: =4th Matt Maguire (66), =8th Pearce Hanley (63)
One percenters: 3rd Joel Patfull (155), 4th Matt Maguire (151)
This weekend will be the Lions’ second trip West this year, after travelling to Perth in Round 3 to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
Just three players on the Lions’ primary list are yet to play senior football - Callum Bartlett, Patrick Wearden and Sam Docherty. Jordan Lisle has also yet to debut in Lions colours, although has played five senior games for Hawthorn.
Brent Staker joined the Lions from West Coast in 2009. Unfortunately, in the two teams’ last meeting in Round 23 last year, Staker injured his knee, ruling him out for the 2012 season.
The Lions have eight current players recruited from Western Australia: Rohan Bewick, Todd Banfield, Simon Black, James Hawksley, Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Daniel Rich and Elliot Yeo. Leuenberger (Achilles), McGrath (hamstring) and Rich (suspension) are all unavailable to play this weekend.
