Sunday’s AFL 2018 Round 23 match is between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:10 local time with the game to be played at Gabba. The away team West Coast Eagles are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles.
When: 13:10 | Sunday 26/08/2018
Where: Gabba
Preview:
A lot of chat about Dayne Zorko’s post-match incident with Touk Miller and a few commentators have said it shows a lack of leadership.
I thought I was childish and embarrassing.
West Coast could be without star forwards Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy and I think they’ll go to a smaller line-up with Mark LeCras, William Rioli and Liam Ryan.
KEY BATTLE: Dayne Beams v Luke Shuey
Beams and Shuey are two of the best midfielders in the game, so look for them to get lots of the ball.
The Verdict
Eagles should sew up a top two spot despite their injuries.
West Coast lead Brisbane 8-3 since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Brisbane Lions at $2.50
West Coast Eagles at $1.55
Odds:
Tip: West Coast Eagles at $1.65
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Liam Ryan at $11.00
More Info:
Teams:
Brisbane Lions: 
B: Hodge, Andrews, Robertson
HB: Rich, McStay, Cutler
C: Taylor, Robinson, Zorko
HF: Rayner, Hipwood, McCluggage
F: Christensen, McInerney, Starcevich
FOLL: Martin, Berry, D. Beams
I/C (from): Walker, Cox, Mayes, Bailey, Lyons, Lester, Mathieson, Ballenden
IN: McInerney, Cox, Mayes, Ballenden, Lyons
OUT: Witherden
West Coast Eagles: 
B: Hurn, Barrass, Sheppard
HB: Duggan, McGovern, Cole
C: Sheed, Shuey, Masten
HF: Hutchings, Darling, Cripps
F: Rioli, Vardy, LeCras
FOLL: Lycett, Yeo, Redden
I/C (from): Ryan, Venables, O. Allen, Nelson, J. Waterman, Ah Chee, Schofield, M. Allen
IN: O. Allen, Nelson, Schofield, M. Allen, J. Waterman
OUT: Jetta
AFL News:
West Coast forward Josh Kennedy will miss another week with his ongoing shin injury, but Jack Darling is set to recover from concussion in time to face Brisbane at the Gabba this Sunday.
Kennedy has missed the past four AFL games with a hairline fracture in his right shin, and he won’t return until week one of the finals.
Given there is a bye before the finals, Kennedy will have missed seven weeks of action before lining up for the Eagles again.
The 30-year-old missed three games earlier this season with a separate hairline fracture higher up on the right leg.
“I’ve done a lot of campaigning today, and it hasn’t got me too far,” Simpson told channel 7 of his bid to convince the club’s medical staff to let Kennedy play.
“So I think we’ll miss Josh this week, he won’t play.”
But there is better news on Darling, who lasted just 10 minutes in last week’s loss to Melbourne before being concussed in a heavy tackle.
“Jack was walking and was fine,” Simpson said.
“He got some minor concussion and we didn’t take the risk in the game.
“He seems to be OK. But until we do the testing later in the week, we won’t really know. But at the moment we’re thinking Josh won’t play, and Jack will.”
The Eagles will secure second spot and two home finals if they can beat Brisbane at the Gabba.
But Simpson said it wasn’t a make-or-break game for the club, given the Eagles will finish fourth at worst.
“Top two is up for grabs, that would be great to get two home finals,” Simpson said.
“We’re going full bore at it. But I don’t think it’s season on the line type of stuff.”
