Trailing by 27 points at quarter-time against the reigning premier, things were almost out of control for Brisbane.

The pre-season darlings were being taught a lesson by West Coast on how to make the most of their opportunities.

The Lions weren't playing that badly. They were winning clearances and contested ball but were panicked, over-using it and inviting pressure. They needed a circuit breaker.

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Once the ball bounced to start the second quarter, that circuit breaker came in the form of two forwards with contrasting modes of operation who stepped up to turn the tide.

Lincoln McCarthy chipped away at the dam wall with a combination of skill and nous and Charlie Cameron crashed right through it with blistering pace and clinical finishing.

The pair not only kicked seven goals between them – four to McCarthy and three to Cameron – but totally swung the game's momentum.

Brisbane belted West Coast in the midfield, but on a terribly humid night that made it difficult to handle the ball, McCarthy and Cameron were clean and clinical.

After seven injury-ravaged seasons at Geelong, McCarthy is a feel-good poster boy for perseverance.

He started roughly, giving away more free kicks (three) than he had disposals (two) in the opening term.

But as he settled, so did Brisbane.

After a centre clearance and a long Dayne Zorko bomb from the opening bounce of the second quarter, McCarthy got to the feet of Dan McStay in textbook forward fashion to rove and cleverly snap on his left foot.

Five minutes later he took a mark on the lead and calmly went back and steered through the set shot from 50m.

The deficit was just 16 points and the Lions were on their way.

"I was pretty excited to be honest," McCarthy told AFL.com.au. "There's always a little bit of anxiety any time you play.

"I was lucky enough to get on the end of some good play and kick a few goals and I guess that makes you feel a little more comfortable, so yeah, I was stoked."

After playing just 29 games in his seven seasons, McCarthy was nervous all week, said Brisbane coach Chris Fagan.

"He's spent a lot of time out of the game injured. I'm surprised, to be honest, how well he's played so quickly. It speaks volumes about his talent and attitude," Fagan said.

"Hopefully he just grows from there and gets a bit of confidence from it."

After McCarthy began the Lions' resurgence, Cameron totally took over.

He took a brilliant diving mark and converted a set shot before hunting down two opponents to win a contested ball and unselfishly square to Hugh McCluggage for another Lions' goal.

But his best party trick was still to come.

With a long ball into Brisbane's forward line leading to a foot race between he and Eagles defender Tom Cole, Cameron somehow pouched the ball and slung it onto his foot while being tackled for a miraculous third goal.

"I reckon if you're asking me what got us going, I think it was Charlie," McCarthy said.

"The amount of efforts, he was just manic.

"He was against two opponents at one stage, working his butt off to create a contest and keep us in the game and that creates opportunities and gives us more belief.