Head to head: West Coast 26 wins, Brisbane Lions 10 wins, 1 draw
Last time: Brisbane Lions 16.18 (114) d West Coast 12.10 (82), round one, 2010 at the Gabba
MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast
Sam Butler (foot) - 3-4 weeks
Bradd Dalziell (finger) - season
Darren Glass (abdomen) - season
Ash Hansen (hip) - 2-3 weeks
Shannon Hurn (hamstring) - 1 week
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - season
Eric Mackenzie (suspension) - 1 week
Chris Masten (ankle) - 1-2 weeks
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - season
Adam Selwood (AC joint) - test
Brisbane Lions
Matt Austin (leg) - season
Donald Barry (sinus) - season
Callum Bartlett (knee) - season
Amon Buchanan (quad) - 2 weeks
Jamie Charman (ankle) - season
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) - 1 week
Josh Drummond (knee) - season
Brendan Fevola (groin) - season
Mitch Golby (knee) - season
Broc McCauley (groin) - TBA
Bart McCulloch (hamstring) - indefinite
James Polkinghorne (quad) - test
Andrew Raines (quad) - test
FORM
West Coast: LLWLL
Brisbane Lions: LLLLL
SUMMARY
The Lions have lost eight games in a row, and 13 of their last 14, while West Coast boasts one win in its last 10 outings. No matter how you twist things, this is not going to be a Saturday-night special.
Nonetheless, avoiding the wooden spoon is a powerful incentive for the players and that should guarantee a willing contest if nothing else between the 15th and 16th ranked sides.
The Eagles enter this clash after a 75-point western derby humiliation and with the skills and work ethic of their players in question. They haven’t won at home in three months and will be desperate to give their fans something to smile about.
The Lions, meanwhile, came back late against the young Demons last week, but eventually fell 10 points short. Not having sung the team song in more than two months, their motivations will be much the same as West Coast’s.
The Lions, meanwhile, came back late against the young Demons last week, but eventually fell 10 points short. Not having sung the team song in more than two months, their motivations will be much the same as West Coast’s.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Josh Kennedy started the season in a blaze of glory, booting 34 goals in the first 12 rounds, but things have dried up since. He entered last week under an injury cloud and was held goalless, and with 5.6 in his last six games his trademark accuracy has deserted him.
It’s not the grand final setting where he made his name, but the stage is set for Jonathan Brown to lead the Lions to a much-needed win. With two goals last week - and nine in his last three games - Brown could expose an undermanned Eagles backline.
QUESTION MARKS
Which is the worst side in the competition? It certainly isn’t Richmond, while Port Adelaide has skipped away under caretaker coach Matthew Primus. This clash will decide who deserves the dubious honour.
Which young Eagle will take on Brown, with preferred options Darren Glass and Eric Mackenzie sidelined? Mitch Brown has spent time on him before, while Will Schofield could get the job.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
If your preference is to back the form team, flip a coin. Alternatively, West Coast’s home advantage is the only compelling case for either side this week. After a demoralising first half last week, the Eagles kicked nine goals. The Lions, meanwhile, managed nine goals in four quarters against Melbourne.
Chat with host Chris Pike and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 5.40pm AWST Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #afleagleslions
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
