SPEARHEAD Jonathan Brown has been cleared to play West Coast and Simon Black is set to join him after passing a famed Brisbane fitness test.

In a massive boost to the wavering Lions, coach Leigh Matthews declared co-captains Brown and Black fit to line up against a green Eagles outfit at the Gabba tonight.

Brown stretched out confidently at training to dispel concerns about his hip yesterday but Black was put through a torrid "Nigel Lappin" test at the end of the session.

Assistant coach Chris Johnson lined up and pummelled Black for up to 10 minutes to test his injured shoulder much in the same way Lappin was belted by Aaron Shattock before the 2003 grand final win against Collingwood.

Carrying broken ribs, Lappin came through a series of vigorous tackles by Shattock to take his place in the decider.

Black spoke with Matthews and club medics for several minutes after the test in a sign he was touch and go but Matthews was confident the three-time club champion would play.

"We always thought Jonathan would play and he trained today and he's OK," the Lions coach said. "We didn't think Blacky would play, to be honest, but he seemed to be OK during the session, so he'll probably start off the field because we planned the game without him and we won't alter that but it's good to have him in our 22."

Pressed whether Black was able to bounce back after copping a nasty knock in the 37-point loss to Essendon at Telstra Dome last week, Matthews played down concerns.

"He's been given the all clear unless he pulls up badly," he said.

The Lions have wilted with upset away losses to Melbourne and the Bombers, and Matthews acknowledged their confidence had dipped.

West Coast have won the past four meetings at the Gabba but that was a different Eagles outfit.

"We'll struggle to field a much younger [team] in terms of games played and age and that makes it tough," said coach John Worsfold, who didn't hide his disappointment at midfielder Daniel Kerr's indiscipline, which led to a three-week suspension.