Last week the 15th-placed Lions took it right up to Collingwood and despite never quite being in the hunt to steal the four points, powered home with a seven goals to two fourth quarter to get within 18 points at the final siren.
It came just five weeks after leading second-placed Geelong at three-quarter time before fading to lose by 29 points.
So the Lions have showed they can mix it with the competition's elite and the Eagles give them another chance on Saturday.
West Coast have been one of the success stories of the season and jumped into fourth place with a 57-point demolition of Essendon last weekend.
Overall the Lions have a poor record against the Eagles but have won the past four, including their last meeting in round 19 last season when Jonathan Brown kicked a goal on the siren to steal victory in Perth.
Forward scout
The club: West Coast
2011 so far: West Coast's turnaround from wooden spooners to top four contenders has been one of the most remarkable stories of the season. With veterans Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Darren Glass and Andrew Embley all fit and firing, exciting Nic Naitanui continuing to develop and youngsters Luke Shuey, Jack Darling and Andrew Gaff all exceeding expectations, the Eagles have stunned many to rocket to a 15-5 record.
The coach: Just 12 months ago John Worsfold's job was in serious question but the premiership coach has surely secured his immediate future with the Eagles' performance this season. After mixing zones with man-on-man defence over previous seasons, Worsfold and his coaching staff have got West Coast implementing a forward press that is making escape difficult for opposition defenders. Worsfold is in his 10th season as coach after 12 seasons as a player.
The star: This title could go to any number of Eagles - Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui among them - but I'm settling on Daniel Kerr. The feisty midfielder is back to his best after a torn hamstring destroyed his 2010 season. Kerr's combination with Cox at stoppages is remarkable and his dynamic pace splits packs wide open.
The sleeper: Josh Kennedy. It's hard to miss the 194cm, 99kg full forward but ever so quietly the big Eagle is earning a reputation as one of the best power forwards in the competition. After going from Carlton to West Coast as part of the trade that saw Chris Judd go to the Blues, Kennedy has found his feet after a slow start. Has kicked 50 goals this season, including 10 against the Western Bulldogs in round nine.
The young gun: Luke Shuey has spent three years in the Eagles' system and is showing the benefits this season. Injury and illness hampered his 2010 campaign, but the 21-year-old midfielder has played every match this season and is one of the favourites to win the NAB Rising Star award. Not only has a hunger for the footy, but has also kicked 20 goals this season.
Strengths: The Eagles are strong all over the ground, and aside from the Cox-Kerr clearance combination, their biggest strength is their height and ability to grab contested marks. They are not a free-wheeling, high-scoring team, but Kennedy, Darling and Lynch - along with Cox and Naitanui - are a handful for any team when the ball comes into the forward 50. Mark LeCras (40 goals) and Mark Nicoski (33) are also on hand to take advantage when the ball hits the ground.
Weaknesses: Hard to find any glaring holes in a team that has lost just once in its past 11 matches. Getting parity in the ruck is a huge head start against the Eagles as they rely heavily on Cox and Naitanui to feed the likes of Kerr, Matt Priddis, Shuey and Scott Selwood to get them going forward.
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting
