AAMI Practice Match Review: Brisbane vs West Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways
Brisbane play differently when the pressure is off. With two premierships already in the cabinet and a new generation pressing for spots, you'd expect some complacency. Instead, they opened their 2026 pre-season account with a dominant 41-point win and looked like a team with unfinished business.
The Lions beat West Coast 17.9 (111) to 10.10 (70) at Springfield, and the scoreline flatters the Eagles. Three quarter-time score: Brisbane 88-27. From there it became a second-chance audition for fringe players on both sides.
The Match in 60 Seconds
Brisbane's midfield dominated from the opening bounce. Lachie Neale (29 disposals, 8 clearances) was at his most controlling — a one-man tide dictating the terms of every contest he entered. Zac Bailey (24 disposals) added the ball movement, and Logan Morris did the damage forward with three goals.
West Coast's bright spot was Harley Reid, who refused to be beaten despite being outgunned everywhere else on the ground. Six clearances against Brisbane's best midfield is exceptional — he's a level above the rest of the Eagles list and it shows in every possession.
Three Players to Watch for Round 1
1. Lachie Neale (MID, $1,059,000) — Brisbane
The numbers: 29 disposals, 8 clearances. Game-high by a significant margin.
The old warhorse remains the heartbeat of Brisbane's midfield. He's in the "underpriced because people assume decline" category at $1,059,000 — a price that makes him genuinely attractive for coaches who watched him win back-to-back Brownlows and understand there's no sign of slowing down.
Verdict: Premium lock. Brisbane's title chase runs through him and he's playing like he knows it.
2. Harley Reid (MID, $874,000) — West Coast
The numbers: 23 disposals, 6 clearances. In a 41-point loss.
The context is everything here. Reid was operating against Brisbane's first-choice midfield — Neale, Bailey, Ah Chee — and still generated 6 clearances. That's not survival output. That's elite output against the toughest competition available.
The SuperCoach risk with Reid is team context. West Coast will be behind a lot and that affects scoring. But a player of his quality will find the ball regardless. He's the most intriguing mid-price to premium in the comp.
Verdict: High upside, team context risk. If you're willing to trust him, the ceiling is enormous.
3. Logan Morris (FWD, $287,000) — Brisbane
The numbers: 3 goals. Made his case for regular selection.
Morris continued pressing his claim as Brisbane's key forward of the future. Three goals from the full forward position against a capable defender in Liam Duggan showed physicality and precision. At $287,000 as a FWD with a premiership midfield feeding him, his floor should be higher than most key forwards at his price.
Verdict: Value FWD at a winning club. The supply will come — the question is whether he can take his chances consistently.
Other SuperCoach Notes
- Zac Bailey (MID, Brisbane): 24 disposals, 1 goal. Consistent performer who will hit 85-90 if Brisbane stay healthy. Mid-price value.
- Keidean Coleman (MID/DEF, Brisbane): 16 disposals in managed time. The double-ACL return is progressing cautiously — will be significant when fully unleashed.
- Jacob Newton (West Coast FWD): 2 goals and good crumbing. Firmed for Round 1 spot — watch for FWD eligibility.
- Reuben Ginbey (West Coast MID): 17 disposals in a reasonable performance. Another season of development for the young Eagle.
- Cody Curtin (Brisbane RUC): Handled Callum Jamieson in the ruck battle. The young Lion is building toward being a genuine AFL ruckman.
Injury Watch
| Player | Club | Issue | R1 Impact | |--------|------|-------|-----------| | Joe Daniher | Brisbane | Ankle (managed) | Expected fit — conservative approach | | Oscar Allen | Brisbane | Managed | Fine for Round 1 | | Liam Duggan | West Coast | Head knock | Monitor |
The Bottom Line
Brisbane look like a team with a mission. Neale controlling games, Morris developing into a genuine forward, and the structure looking as polished as a side entering its third straight premiership tilt. The West Coast side provided little resistance beyond Reid — who, to be fair, is doing everything possible to elevate a limited group around him.
For fantasy purposes: Neale if you can afford him. Reid if you can back the team context. Morris as your value FWD at a club that will generate enough supply to make him dangerous.
-DK
For more pre-season analysis, see our Rookie Power Rankings Traffic Light Guide and the AAMI Community Series wrap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lachie Neale worth picking in SuperCoach 2026?+
Twenty-nine disposals and 8 clearances in the opening pre-season hit-out confirms Neale is still one of the game's elite midfielders. At his price, he's a reliable premium who won't let you down. If Brisbane push for three flags in a row, Neale is the engine.
Is Harley Reid a good SuperCoach pick despite West Coast's poor results?+
Reid is the most interesting pick in the comp from a contrarian standpoint. He's clearly elite — 23 disposals and 6 clearances in a loss, working against Brisbane's best midfield. The risk is team context: West Coast will be under the pump most weeks. But if he scores 85+ in a bad team, his price value is enormous.
Is Logan Morris worth picking in SuperCoach 2026?+
Three goals in his first practice match of the year, against a capable West Coast defence. Morris is emerging as Brisbane's key forward target after Joe Daniher's managed absence. At his price as a FWD, he's a reliable if low-ceiling option.
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