The second match on Saturday for AFL Round 7 is between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles. The game is set to commence at 2:10 PM local time with the game to be played at the Gabba. Away team West Coast Eagles go into the match as the favourites in the market and look to get their season back on track. View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles.

Round: Round 7 2:10 PM May 11, 2013
Stadium: Gabba
Weather: 26° Mostly fine

Featured Bookmakers:

Brisbane Lions $4.50 vs West Coast Eagles $1.20 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Brisbane Lions $4.50 vs West Coast Eagles $1.20 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Brisbane Lions	4.50	4.50	4.50	4.50	4.50	4.50
West Coast Eagles	1.20	1.20	1.20	1.20	1.20	1.21

Preview:

Sydney continued their domination of Brisbane last week, handing the Queensland side a ten goal drumming and their fourth loss of the season.

The Lions’ two wins this year have come over the equally struggling Melbourne Demons and a narrow 2 point win over the Gold Coast Suns.

They continue to struggle to register points in their games, only once this year surpassed the 100 point mark, with an average of 78 points.

Their opponents this week, despite also having only won two games, have been far more competitive in their efforts.

The Eagles somehow managed to surrender a 40 point lead when defeated by Port two weeks back but were able to put that nightmare well and truly behind them last week by smashing the hapless Western Bulldogs by 70 points.

When the two sides last met, the Eagles registered 175 points in their 98 point win and something similar could be on the cards again here.

Teams:

Brisbane Lions:
B: Mitch Golby, Daniel Merrett, Ashley McGrath
HB: Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke, Elliot Yeo
C: Jed Adcock, Brent Moloney, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Rohan Bewick, Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden
Int: Simon Black, Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Sam Mayes
Emerg: Sam Docherty, Billy Longer, Jack Crisp

In: A.Raines, J.Lisle, S.Black
Out: A.Cornelius, B.Longer, M.Paparone

West Coast Eagles:
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard
C: Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff
HF: Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Sharrod Wellingham
F: Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int: Jacob Brennan, Bradd Dalziell, Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith
Emg: Jamie Cripps, Ashton Hams, Callum Sinclair

In: M.Rosa, M.Hutchings, B.Sheppard
Out: D.Kerr (knee), C.Masten (foot), C.Sinclair

Late scare but Simon Black back for Lions

Two words sum up why the Brisbane Lions are confident ahead of Saturday’s AFL clash with West Coast at the Gabba – Simon Black.

But form Lions midfielder Pearce Hanley reckons their winning hopes hinge on another word – composure.

Hanley couldn’t hide his excitement over Black’s long-awaited return from a knee injury, despite the Brownlow Medallist sending a scare through the camp with a training no-show on Friday.

Lions football manager Dean Warren later assured reporters Black had skipped the Gabba session as a precaution after “feeling a bit off” but would definitely play.

Much to Hanley’s relief.

“He adds a bit of class and experience around the stoppages which is needed,” Hanley said of Black who makes his 2013 debut after three reserves games.

“We are all looking forward to him coming back. It’s exciting to see him running around again.”

However, Hanley said the Lions would be more focussed on turning around their poor starts.

Three times in as many interstate games this season the Lions have been jumped early.

Last round was a classic example – they trailed Sydney by 40 points at the first break before being thrashed by 60 at the SCG.

Asked what would turn it around, Hanley said: “Composure.

“When the pressure has been on and teams re-jig what they do we haven’t dealt very well.

“But we have put in a lot of work and this week we should have a much better start.”

Both sides boast a 2-4 record but their season prospects could not be more different.

The Eagles are flying high after a last-start 70-point win over the Western Bulldogs and the return to the starting side of All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui.

In contrast more pressure was piled on Lions coach Michael Voss after Brisbane slumped to their third 10-goal loss of the season, in Sydney last Sunday.

But Hanley said of the pre-season premiers: “We definitely have belief – we will turn it around.”

A last gasp James Polkinghorne goal handed the Lions a two-point Gabba upset over the Eagles in round 10 last year before West Coast hit back with a 98-point thumping in WA two months later.

Hanley said the Lions were a “more mature” side than the one that last faced West Coast.

But he was still scratching his head over how to combat Naitanui.

“He’s a freak. Hopefully he doesn’t jump on my head at any stage,” he said.