IF WEST Coast is to cling to its faint finals hopes, it simply must leave the Gabba with four premiership points. The Eagles are two wins behind eighth-placed Gold Coast with seven rounds remaining and face a Lions team decimated by injury and suspension. Without midfield prime-movers Tom Rockliff (suspension), Jack Redden (ankle) and Daniel Rich (knee), along with recently retired skipper Jonathan Brown, the Lions look ripe for the picking. But as they've shown against Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne in recent weeks, their fleet-footed brigade of Lewis Taylor, Dayne Zorko and Josh Green are more than capable of inspiring an upset. Throw in the fact the Eagles are coming off a day's less recovery after an energy-sapping loss against the Sydney Swans, and this one should be tight.





WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, Saturday July 12, 7.40pm

R7, 2013, West Coast 17.6 (108) d Brisbane Lions 12.10 (82) at Gabba
R18, 2012, West Coast 28.7 (175) d Brisbane Lions 12.5 (77) at Patersons Stadium
R10, 2012, Brisbane Lions 16.6 (102) d West Coast 15.10 (100) at Gabba
R23, 2011, West Coast 13.11 (89) d Brisbane Lions 11.15 (81) at Gabba
R19, 2010, Brisbane Lions 10.10 (70) d West Coast 9.11 (65) at Patersons Stadium

Want to watch the game LIVE? Click here for your free trial of AFL Live Pass

THE SIX POINTS
1. It was the big men who helped the Eagles defeat the Lions the last time the sides met, with Josh Kennedy kicking four goals and Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui combining for 58 hit-outs.

2. No team has taken fewer marks inside 50 this season than the Lions (107). The Eagles (150) are significantly better, and ranked 11th.

3. The clubs have clashed 42 times previously, with the Eagles holding a clear 29-12 winning advantage, with one draw. They also have a 9-8 record at the Gabba.

4. The Lions continue to struggle to score, ranked 17th for total points scored at 64 a game, and are yet to break the ton in 15 matches.

5. The Eagles continue to be strong in the ruck, ranked equal second for hit-outs, averaging 47.1, compared to the Lions, who rank 12th with 38.5 a game.

6. While Luke Shuey has generally had a difficult season, he loves playing the Lions. The Eagles' midfielder is ranked 65th overall according to the AFL Official Player Ratings, but averages a team-high 16.6 a game against the Lions.

Prediction: Brisbane Lions by 12