Witherden

West Coast Eagles recruit Alex Witherden is no stranger to assembling in a backline that includes a high-flying marker after years of playing alongside Lions defender Harris Andrews.

Geelong's Gary Ablett gets his kick away despite the efforts of Alex Witherden (right).

The 20-year-old beat a chasing Alex Witherden for pace, then had the audacity to boot a checkside on the run that curled in beautifully to nudge GWS in front with two minutes to go, hushing a previously rabid Brisbane crowd.

The Lions were forced to play one short for most of the match after young defender Alex Witherden strained his right calf early in the opening term.