WEST Coast will play in Perth in week one of the finals, storming into second place with a comfortable 26-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon.

Following wins by Collingwood and Hawthorn on Saturday, the Eagles handled the final day pressure with ease, making light work of the Lions, 14.14 (98) to 11.6 (72).

They will now host the Magpies in a fortnight at Optus Stadium, with the winner to progress to a home preliminary final.

Coach Adam Simpson said he was "pumped" after finishing second.

"I'm really, really proud of our players," he said.

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"They've been fronting up all year.

"We started the year pretty well, went through some adversity in the back half, losing some games, losing Nic (Naitanui), the whole (Andrew) Gaff incident was difficult.

"To lock away top two … we're ecstatic, really proud of our players."

In more good news for Simpson's men, forward Jack Darling bounced back to the form that had him in All Australian discussions mid-season.

Darling finished with four goals – two in the goalsquare on his own – to go with seven marks from 15 disposals.

He disposed of opponent Josh Walker and moved well both up the ground and inside the forward 50.

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However, the Eagles had plenty of good contributors, nailing down a potential path to a Grand Final without having to leave their home fortress.

Their midfield prime movers were exceptional with Jack Redden (27 disposals and eight clearances) and Luke Shuey (29 and 10) particularly instrumental in the victory.

Jamie Cripps was lively roaming as a half-forward, finishing with 23 touches, three goals and two assists.

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The Eagles continue to kick goals in the absence of Josh Kennedy, with Liam Ryan (three) and Daniel Venables (two) offering good avenues and plenty of pressure in the forward 50.

West Coast was ruthless against a Brisbane outfit that looked like its season went one week too long.

After an even start, the visitors slammed on six straight goals, including four unanswered in the second term, to storm to a match-winning 35-point half-time lead.

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Brisbane's defence, so stable for much of the season, made a raft of elementary errors in the first half that cost them dearly.

Darling profited at the back of a marking contest the Lions failed to clear, Ryan out-pointed Daniel Rich twice in one-on-one contests, and Venables crumbed a big pack of players with little body pressure.

It was West Coast's seventh interstate win for the season.

To the Lions' credit they fought right until the end despite never really giving themselves a chance of winning.

"In a sense I was really proud that our players fought it out," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.

"That they were able to win the second half, because sometimes when you're that team and there's nothing there for you to play for you can give up and get steamrolled by the opposition.

"I think West Coast were probably hoping that they could steamroll us so they could get an easier run in the finals, but I thought our guys showed great character."

Allen Christensen played his second straight strong game in the backline, finishing with 26 disposals, while Dayne Beams rounded out a brilliant year with 32 and two goals.

Skipper Dayne Zorko was kept quiet by Mark Hutchings, who held the Lions ace to 16 touches.

MEDICAL ROOM

Brisbane: Dayne Zorko was taken off in the dying minutes after a front-on collision with his good mate and former skipper Dayne Beams. Zorko looked groggy and did not return but looked fine post-game and did an on-ground interview.

West Coast: The only scare for the Eagles came when ruckman Nathan Vardy was carried off late in the first half after a head clash with Lion Mitch Robinson. He passed the concussion test and came back on after the main break to play out the game.

NEXT UP

West Coast has qualified for a home final and will host Collingwood in a fortnight, with the winner to advance to a preliminary final. Brisbane finishes its season in the bottom four with five wins but a much-improved campaign.

BRISBANE                    4.0   4.2   7.6   11.6 (72)
WEST COAST               5.4   9.7   12.12   14.14 (98)          

GOALS

Brisbane: Bailey 2, Beams 2, Berry, Hipwood, Mathieson, McInerney, McStay, Robertson, Taylor
West Coast: Darling 4, Cripps 3, Rioli 2, Ryan 2, Venables 2, Hutchings

BEST 

Brisbane: Christensen, Cutler, Bailey, Beams, Berry
West Coast: Cripps, Darling, Redden, Shuey, Sheed, Ryan, Hutchings

INJURIES 

Brisbane: Zorko (head)                                                                                                                

West Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Ryan, Fleer

Official crowd:  16,367 at the Gabba