Studs and duds as West Coast Eagles defeat Brisbane Lions

STUDS

JACK DARLING
The West Coast power forward produced his best return since round 20 with a four-goal haul.

Darling tuned up for finals in style after a couple of tough weeks, bouncing back from a concussion injury sustained against Melbourne.

His marking was terrific and he proved a handful for the Lions defence all afternoon.

His kicking for goal (4.3) was the only blemish on an otherwise encouraging performance.

DAYNE BEAMS
Beams capped off a superb afternoon with two final-quarter goals, giving the Eagles a brief scare late in the match.

The classy midfielder was his side’s best player for the second week in a row, backing up his Q Clash heroics with another fine display.

Beams had a team-high 32 possessions, five clearances to go with his two majors.

JAMIE CRIPPS
If he keeps stringing together performances like this, Jamie Cripps isn’t going to stay underrated for much longer.

Cripps booted the Eagles’ first goal of the day and added two more in the second term to help his side gain the ascendancy.

He finished with three goals to go with 23 disposals, eight marks and six inside-50s.

The 26-year-old’s 33 majors for the home-and-away season is his best ever result.

STEFAN MARTIN
Stefan Martin is set to feature prominently in Brisbane’s best-and-fairest after producing another impressive performance.

The former Demon was the most dominant ruckman on the ground, getting the better of Eagles pair Scott Lycett and Nathan Vardy.

Martin not only had a game-high 37 hit-outs, he also had an impact around the ground with 19 possessions, eight clearances, five tackles and five inside-50s.

DUDS

DAYNE ZORKO
Zorko’s lean form continued on a frustrating day for the Brisbane Lions skipper, with Eagles tagger Mark Hutchings keeping him quiet.

It was Zorko’s third match in a row below 20 possessions, and he was visibly frustrated at times.

A collision of heads with Dayne Beams ended the 29-year-old’s day late in the final term.