FIVE goals to Josh Kennedy and a dominant performance from Dean Cox hauled the West Coast Eagles over the line against an impressive Gold Coast outfit at Patersons Stadium.
The Eagles led for most of the day but the pesky Suns had them constantly looking over their shoulders before sneaking home for a 17-point win, keeping their slim finals hopes alive.
"We're not out of the running there, but we have to play well enough to beat the teams we play coming up, that will be our absolute focus," said Eagles coach John Worsfold.
"As much as I'm pretty proud of how our boys held up we've got a lot of work to do."
Cox was best afield against a depleted Gold Coast ruck division with 44 hit-outs and 18 disposals while Scott Selwood was also impressive with 27 disposals and a decent tagging job on Gary Ablett.
Nathan Bock was a late call-up for the Suns and celebrated his return with a pair of goals before being subbed in the third quarter.
Gold Coast trailed by 22 points at three-quarter-time, but twice closed to within two points in a thrilling final term on the back of some magical goals from Alex Sexton and Aaron Hall.??
But some costly mistakes at crucial times cruelled Gold Coast's chances of victory, with West Coast ruckman Dean Cox starring in the final term to seal the win.
??Raging Brownlow medal favourite Gary Ablett tallied 27 possessions and two goals, but his influence was limited by Scott Selwood.??Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia was prolific early and finished with 28 disposals, while David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Sexton (three goals) were also important.
??Cox finished with 44 hit-outs, 19 possessions and a goal, while former Magpie Sharrod Wellingham and Kennedy were also crucial in the win.?
?Kennedy's five-goal haul took his season tally to 59, five ahead of Jeremy Cameron and Jarryd Roughead, and six ahead of Jack Riewoldt in the race for the Coleman Medal.??
Gold Coast created a series of good chances in the first half, but their lack of polish in front of goal proved costly.??
In contrast, West Coast booted 10.1, with Kennedy booting four goals on Suns defender Rory Thompson before Steven May was moved to the Eagles spearhead midway through the second quarter.
WEST COAST 4.0 10.1 15.6 20.10 (130) ?
GOLD COAST 3.3 7.7 11.8 17.11 (113)
GOALS?
West Coast: Kennedy 5, Hill 3, Schofield 2, Dalziell 2, Cox, Lycett, Cripps, Embley, Hutchings, Hams, Wellingham, Mackenzie?
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Bennell 2, Ablett 2, Bock 2, C. Brown 2, Hall 2, Dixon, Stanley, Swallow, Harbrow
BEST ?
West Coast: Selwood, Kennedy, Cox, Wellingham, Dalziell, Hill?
Gold Coast: Prestia, Bennell, Harbrow, Sexton, Ablett
INJURIES ?
West Coast: Priddis (quad) replaced in selected side by Mitch Brown, Carter (cut head)?
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES?
West Coast: Andrew Embley replaced Adam Carter in the third quarter?
Gold Coast: Timmy Sumner replaced Nathan Bock in the third quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Harris, Armstrong
Official crowd: 32,140 at Patersons Stadium
