It was billed as West Coast’s biggest test yet, a chance to make a statement against a competition heavyweight, and the Eagles rose to the challenge magnificently in a 66-point demolition of Collingwood.

All the talk in the west heading into the Optus Stadium blockbuster focused on whether Adam Simpson’s men had truly turned the corner after three-straight wins against sides sitting in the lower reaches of the ladder.

Faced with taking on the in-form Magpies – albeit without some midfield prime movers and key pillars in Jordan De Goey (finger) and Jeremy Howe (ankle) – this was their chance to re-establish themselves as a contender.

And back home in front of their raucous fans, the Eagles were simply irresistible after quarter-time, belting the Magpies, 18.3 (111) to 6.9 (45), to move inside the top four for the first time since round one – way back in March.

Led by another big bag from rejuvenated spearhead Josh Kennedy (seven goals), some inspirational darting runs from skipper Luke Shuey (19 disposals) and touches of class and brute force by Tim Kelly (30, one goal) and Elliot Yeo (22, six clearances), respectively, West Coast flexed its muscles and left the Pies down for the count.

Picking up where he left off in his four-goal best afield display in the RAC Derby, Kennedy helped turn the tide after Collingwood ran rampant in the opening term.

Despite the pre-game drama of losing captain Scott Pendlebury (quad tightness) during the warm-up, the Pies hit the ground running, swarming in waves forward of centre and putting the Eagles defenders on the back foot immediately.

Will Hoskin-Elliot drew first blood for the visitors within two minutes, and quick goals to Darcy Cameron (two) and Jamie Elliott – either side of Nic Naitanui’s steadying snap in traffic – handed the visitors a 20-point break nearing quarter-time.

But, as he has done so many times across his 251-game career, Kennedy stood up when West Coast needed him most, outmuscling his opponent to latch onto a bouncing ball and converting from close range.

It handed the Eagles some momentum heading into the break, which they never gave up in a blistering performance.

In a stunning blitz, Simpson’s troops outworked, outhunted and outplayed the black and white team, kicking 17 goals to one – including 13 unanswered – in a complete performance before Josh Daicos kicked a late consolation.

There were highlights aplenty.

Take Shuey’s scything give-and-go through the middle and elite delivery to Kennedy for his fourth from 52m.

Or Oscar Allen’s clever trap on the goalline, evasion of an opponent and race to the major opening.

Or Kennedy’s deadeye fifth from outside the boundary. Or Jack Darling’s goal square hanger. Or Shuey’s smother and lace-out hit up to Allen.

Or just about everything Tim Kelly did in a sublime display, his best in Eagles colours so far.

There was also a poignant moment when Liam Ryan marked a high ball in the goal square and pointed to the sky in recognition of his eight-year-old family member who was tragically killed in a traffic accident during the week.

For the 24,824 mostly-West Coast fans in attendance, their Sunday return to Optus Stadium could scarcely have been happier, and with a percentage-boosting display – up from 100.5 to 114.8 – the Eagles have firmly positioned themselves inside the top eight.

West Coast will hope to have star defender Jeremy McGovern – a late omission due to a thumb concern – back in the line-up as the Eagles gun for five-in-a-row when they face Geelong back at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

Round 8
Optus Stadium

WEST COAST 2.0 7.2 13.2 18.3 (111)
COLLINGWOOD 4.2 5.3 5.6 6.9 (45)

GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 7, Allen 3, Waterman 2, Cripps, Darling, Ryan, Gaff, Kelly, Naitanui
Collingwood: Cameron 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, Elliott, Daicos

BEST
West Coast: Kelly, Kennedy, Shuey, Allen, Yeo, Naitanui, Nelson
Collingwood: Treloar, Adams, Hoskin-Elliott, Mayne