Coach Adam Simpson has sung the praises of West Coast’s makeshift forward line led by Liam Ryan and Jack Darling, and conceded skipper Luke Shuey is unlikely to play again before finals, following the Eagles’ gritty 15-point win over Essendon.

Ryan’s equal career-best four goals combined with Darling’s two (with four contested marks) was the difference in the Gabba encounter, with the duo helping cover the absences of spearhead Josh Kennedy (concussion) and Jamie Cripps (personal).

“Liam has really stood up. He’s one of our best players. I thought Jack Darling led really well, he’s a strong up and coming leader, he’s worked really hard on his leadership and he led from the front – along with Liam’s performance,” Simpson said post-match.

“Then (Lewis) Jetta I think he had three shots, so something to look at there. Bailey Williams, Oscar Allen continue their growth, Xavier O’Neill played forward, so bit of an eclectic group, ‘Hutch’ (Mark Hutchings) was there as well.

“But they looked really efficient, we just couldn’t get it in there.”

West Coast’s 10^th victory for the season provided four precious points and lifted the team back into fourth spot on the ladder.

With clashes against finals contenders the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda over the next nine days, the challenges keep on coming.

It is likely West Coast will have to push towards finals without prime mover Shuey, compounding the absence of midfield bull Elliot Yeo (groin).

Shuey damaged his hamstring during the third quarter but was able to come back on the field in the last term knowing he was already looking at a stint on the sidelines.

“Three quarter-time he started on the bench and came out and ran around. He didn’t do any more damage, I don’t think,” Simpson said.

“He’s probably going to miss a couple of weeks, so that probably takes us to the end of the season. Just the way it is.

“The way they sometimes react to hamstrings is ‘I can go at 80 per cent’. That was enough for us. It got pretty tight there, and he wasn’t going to play for a couple of weeks anyway.”

The Eagles defence once again stood tall on Tuesday night, with Tom Barrass holding Bombers danger man Joe Daniher to just three behinds after his match-winning heroics last round.

Experienced campaigners Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn and Brad Sheppard dominated the air and controlled possession alongside exciting youngsters Liam Duggan, Josh Rotham, Jackson Nelson and Tom Cole.

Cole also surged forward and had a crucial impact in the third term, holding a juggling mark before snapping his first career goal in his 52^nd game.

He then laid a vital tackle on Adam Saad, turning the ball over at half-back for Ryan to run into an open goal on the siren for his decisive fourth major, handing West Coast enough breathing space ahead of the dogged last quarter between two tiring sides.

“Sometimes you snag one against the play, I think that’s what happened (with Cole’s goal). In the second half every score we got was against the run of play,” Simpson said.

“I’m sure ‘Woosha’ (Essendon coach John Worsfold) and the Bombers would be happy with their effort and their brand stood up, they just couldn’t convert.

“We held up in the end, which I’m really proud of.”