VERY happy early, then very worried, then happy again.

That was the emotional rollercoaster for West Coast coach John Worsfold after his side's 16-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

West Coast shot out to a 37-point lead after just 23 minutes, but by midway through the third quarter, the Lions were up by five points before West Coast surged again.

Worsfold said he was extremely happy early, but that soon evaporated.

"We used the ball very well – our decision-making and our ball-use, for the start of a season, was exceptional in the first quarter," Worsfold said after the match.

"We came back to the field a lot after that, but I think we composed ourselves a bit and got it back.

"I think our first few possessions in the second quarter were just errors, and that allowed them in to kick goals and just got their confidence up. 

"I'm not sure exactly, but maybe their first three or four goals were just our poor errors that gave them easy goals. That got them right into the game, and our guys got a bit more hesitant after that."

Worsfold praised the never-say-die spirit of his team.

"There's no doubt that it's been a trait of our squad over the last few years, that we never give up. Whether we're playing well or playing below our best, we don't give up, we still try our best.

"There's no doubt that the boys were doing that again tonight.

"(That spirit) certainly comes from the group, wanting to not let each other down, and setting very high standards for each other. It has to come from within – the players have to be prepared to do it."

Mark Seaby was superb, with two goals, some excellent work around the ground, 13 disposals and 13 hitouts. Worsfold said he expected the 23-year-old to continue improving.

"He was very good, we're very pleased with Mark. We know he's had a good pre-season, and he's still a young ruckman in rucking terms.

"But the bonus for us is that he hasn't been overworked in the early part of his career – he's got a long career ahead of him and he's going to keep improving.

"We expect him to play a big part for us this year."