SUMMARY
West Coast has been copping it from all angles since last Sunday's last-quarter meltdown against Collingwood cost them a crucial victory in the race for September. The Eagles have slipped back outside the top eight and coach Adam Simpson is under pressure to find answers to the Eagles' ongoing issues around clearances and inability to close-out games. West Coast has been in every match – apart from horror losses to Hawthorn and Essendon – during final quarters but has only a 9-8 record to show for it. The bottom-placed Lions come to town buoyed by their fourth win – a five-goal triumph over Carlton – but Chris Fagan's men have been weakened by star midfielder Dayne Zorko's one-match suspension. His absence will be a major blow for a young side which has lost its last six to West Coast and past seven times at Domain Stadium.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, July 30, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2016, West Coast 20.11 (131) d Brisbane Lions 12.10 (82) at the Gabba
R1, 2016, West Coast 26.10 (166) d Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2015, West Coast 17.16 (118) d Brisbane Lions 9.11 (65) at the Gabba
R17, 2014, West Coast 11.10 (76) d Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64) at the Gabba
R7, 2013, West Coast 17.6 (108) d Brisbane Lions 12.10 (82) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. West Coast has won the last six matches against the Lions, with three of those victories by more than 50 points. The Lions' last triumph over the Eagles was in round 10, 2012 by two points.
2. The Lions have lost their last seven games at Domain Stadium with an average score only 56 points.
3. West Coast's final quarter fadeouts have become a major issue. Since the bye the Eagles have lost five of six fourth quarters with a negative 102-point differential.
4. The Lions are ranked last for tackles, inside 50s, marks inside 50, contested marks, contested possessions and total disposals this season.
5. The Lions are one of the lowest scoring sides this season, ranked 15th and have kicked 100 points in a game only twice; the Eagles haven't kicked the century in 11 consecutive games.
6. Emerging Lions forward Eric Hipwood looks a star of the future and he is making a rapid rise up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. This season, Hipwood has booted 28 goals and climbed 188 spots to 411th overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Adam Simpson
The Eagles coach has been under the pump since West Coast was overrun by Collingwood last Sunday, with his position coming under scrutiny despite being contracted until 2019. Anything but a convincing win over the bottom-placed Lions will turn up the heat.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 37 points
