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http://eagles.newman-knights.com/news.php?newsid=57
On the back of a couple of indifferent weeks, a game against Brisbane at the Gabba is not really what you need to get back on track. However Brisbane haven't been quite as scary recently as in the last couple of years, and with a few players out there probably isn't a better time to come up against the Lions.
Changes
The Eagles have added a number of players to the team for this week with Andrew McDougall named in the main 18, and almost certain to play and Damien Adkins, Chad Morrison, Trent Carroll, full forward Troy Wilson, Josh Wooden and rookie Adam Selwood all named on the extended bench, although only four of these will actually play.
Kane Munro and Adam Hunter are the initial casualties of the last two week's indifferent performances, while Travis Gaspar and Phil Matera are out injured already, meaning a minimum of four changes will be made to the side for the game against the Lions.
Notably neither ruckman Dean Cox nor defender Phil Read have been named for this match.
Click here for the Eagles squad
Lead up
Since the round nine Tiger-skinning the Eagles form has dropped off quite a bit, with a loss to Essendon away and a draw at home over the undermanned Bulldogs. There seemed to be a bit of complacency leaking into the team's output, and overall our performances have been quite flat. However one would hope that scraping an after the siren draw against the bottom side would have cleared that.
Brisbane have also not been in the most red hot of form, unexpectedly dropping a game to the Saints last weekend. Mostly however the Lions have been dispatching teams with little fuss such as a recent 60 point over the Demons at the Gabba, and a 77 point win over Carlton.
In recent weeks then the line would have to favour the Lions on form, but they haven't looked quite as invincible when playing other strong sides as they did over 2001 and 2002.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles have lost a lot of forward power leading into this match with the unavailablity of Phil Matera due to a knee injury and Travis Gaspar with yet another injury - this time to his foot.
Brisbane have quite a long injury list at the moment with Michael Voss, Clarke Keating, Jonathon Brown and Tim Notting all missing from the Lions top 22 players. Blake Caracella, Beau McDonald and Chris Scott will all have to face tests after sustaining minor injuries at the Injury Dome aka Docklands last week, while Shaun Hart and Mal Michael are likely to be able to resume.
Match Ups
The Eagles have looked their best this year when they have managed to play well to Michael Gardiner's taps, and the Lions do not have a strong ruckman to challenge Gardiner at the moment. However the Lions midfield don't have the reputation they do for no reason, and keeping them from sharking the ruck will be a big challenge.
Talking of midfields, this week the Eagles are clearly facing a side that are better in that area, albeit without Voss they are down on their norm. How the likes of Nigel Lappin, Simon Black and Jason Akermanis are managed by the Eagles runners could be important, and the Eagles midfield of Ben Cousins, Chad Fletcher, Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd will have to play a much more accountable game than has been the Eagles standard in 2003.
Up forward for the Lions is the genius of Alastair Lynch, and who the Eagles man up on him will be a big question. Ashley McIntosh and Darren Glass have been in indifferent form in the last couple of weeks, and covering Lynch will be important.
Similarly, who the Eagles put up forward could be critical, as without the ever-dangerous Phil Matera up forward the Eagles will need to find a crumber to take his place and allow Sampi to run free.
2002
There were two games between the Eagles and the Lions last year, with almost opposing results, the Eagles winning by 46 at Subiaco, and the Lions by 47 at home.
Round 5, Subiaco
West Coast 4.1 7.7 12.11 18.13 (121)
Brisbane 3.4 5.11 8.12 10.15 ( 75)
Round 21, Gabba
Brisbane 6.4 11.10 14.12 20.16 (136)
West Coast 4.2 7.4 9.8 13.11 ( 89)
Head to Head (not including Brisbane Bears matches)
Overall: Played 9; Brisbane Lions 4, West Coast 5, Draws 0.
At Gabba: Played 5; Brisbane Lions 3, West Coast 2, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 21.13 (139) d Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) - 79 points, Gabba, R7 1997.
Biggest Margin - Brisbane Lions: Brisbane Lions 25.16 (166) d West Coast 9.12 (66) - 100 points, Gabba, R17 1999.
Milestones
None this week
Summary
Brisbane, despite their shock loss last week at the Blunderdome are still the competition yardstick, and are on top of the ladder, and playing at home. The Eagles are not in great form, and while sitting third would not really be considered challengers to the Lions at the Gabba just yet. Hopefully the Eagles listlessness and apparent complacency will be beaten out of them by Woosha (with a big stick) at training, and Brisbane are probably as vulnerable as they have been in recent times, but I cannot see the Eagles getting up in this match. Fortunately after this there is a week off for the Eagles to get their act together again for the rest of the season.
My prediction: Brisbane by 19 points
On the back of a couple of indifferent weeks, a game against Brisbane at the Gabba is not really what you need to get back on track. However Brisbane haven't been quite as scary recently as in the last couple of years, and with a few players out there probably isn't a better time to come up against the Lions.
Changes
The Eagles have added a number of players to the team for this week with Andrew McDougall named in the main 18, and almost certain to play and Damien Adkins, Chad Morrison, Trent Carroll, full forward Troy Wilson, Josh Wooden and rookie Adam Selwood all named on the extended bench, although only four of these will actually play.
Kane Munro and Adam Hunter are the initial casualties of the last two week's indifferent performances, while Travis Gaspar and Phil Matera are out injured already, meaning a minimum of four changes will be made to the side for the game against the Lions.
Notably neither ruckman Dean Cox nor defender Phil Read have been named for this match.
Click here for the Eagles squad
Lead up
Since the round nine Tiger-skinning the Eagles form has dropped off quite a bit, with a loss to Essendon away and a draw at home over the undermanned Bulldogs. There seemed to be a bit of complacency leaking into the team's output, and overall our performances have been quite flat. However one would hope that scraping an after the siren draw against the bottom side would have cleared that.
Brisbane have also not been in the most red hot of form, unexpectedly dropping a game to the Saints last weekend. Mostly however the Lions have been dispatching teams with little fuss such as a recent 60 point over the Demons at the Gabba, and a 77 point win over Carlton.
In recent weeks then the line would have to favour the Lions on form, but they haven't looked quite as invincible when playing other strong sides as they did over 2001 and 2002.
Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles have lost a lot of forward power leading into this match with the unavailablity of Phil Matera due to a knee injury and Travis Gaspar with yet another injury - this time to his foot.
Brisbane have quite a long injury list at the moment with Michael Voss, Clarke Keating, Jonathon Brown and Tim Notting all missing from the Lions top 22 players. Blake Caracella, Beau McDonald and Chris Scott will all have to face tests after sustaining minor injuries at the Injury Dome aka Docklands last week, while Shaun Hart and Mal Michael are likely to be able to resume.
Match Ups
The Eagles have looked their best this year when they have managed to play well to Michael Gardiner's taps, and the Lions do not have a strong ruckman to challenge Gardiner at the moment. However the Lions midfield don't have the reputation they do for no reason, and keeping them from sharking the ruck will be a big challenge.
Talking of midfields, this week the Eagles are clearly facing a side that are better in that area, albeit without Voss they are down on their norm. How the likes of Nigel Lappin, Simon Black and Jason Akermanis are managed by the Eagles runners could be important, and the Eagles midfield of Ben Cousins, Chad Fletcher, Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd will have to play a much more accountable game than has been the Eagles standard in 2003.
Up forward for the Lions is the genius of Alastair Lynch, and who the Eagles man up on him will be a big question. Ashley McIntosh and Darren Glass have been in indifferent form in the last couple of weeks, and covering Lynch will be important.
Similarly, who the Eagles put up forward could be critical, as without the ever-dangerous Phil Matera up forward the Eagles will need to find a crumber to take his place and allow Sampi to run free.
2002
There were two games between the Eagles and the Lions last year, with almost opposing results, the Eagles winning by 46 at Subiaco, and the Lions by 47 at home.
Round 5, Subiaco
West Coast 4.1 7.7 12.11 18.13 (121)
Brisbane 3.4 5.11 8.12 10.15 ( 75)
Round 21, Gabba
Brisbane 6.4 11.10 14.12 20.16 (136)
West Coast 4.2 7.4 9.8 13.11 ( 89)
Head to Head (not including Brisbane Bears matches)
Overall: Played 9; Brisbane Lions 4, West Coast 5, Draws 0.
At Gabba: Played 5; Brisbane Lions 3, West Coast 2, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 21.13 (139) d Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) - 79 points, Gabba, R7 1997.
Biggest Margin - Brisbane Lions: Brisbane Lions 25.16 (166) d West Coast 9.12 (66) - 100 points, Gabba, R17 1999.
Milestones
None this week
Summary
Brisbane, despite their shock loss last week at the Blunderdome are still the competition yardstick, and are on top of the ladder, and playing at home. The Eagles are not in great form, and while sitting third would not really be considered challengers to the Lions at the Gabba just yet. Hopefully the Eagles listlessness and apparent complacency will be beaten out of them by Woosha (with a big stick) at training, and Brisbane are probably as vulnerable as they have been in recent times, but I cannot see the Eagles getting up in this match. Fortunately after this there is a week off for the Eagles to get their act together again for the rest of the season.
My prediction: Brisbane by 19 points

