The West Coast Eagles hung on for a dour, but important eight-point victory over St Kilda at Optus Stadium this afternoon to galvanise a position inside the top eight.
The Eagles withstood a strong challenge from the Saints in the second half to record a 14.10 (94) to 13.8 (86) triumph.
They were able to find answers when the Saints pressed hardest, led by Nic Naitanui and his band of midfielders. Tim Kelly was brilliant, particularly in the second term, while Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff toiled hard all day.
Sheed, in trademark fashion, kicked the goal that took the game beyond doubt, wheeling on his left foot after a scrimmage at half-forward nailed his second goal.
The third quarter was something of an arm wrestle and Jack Darling, who had been dangerioius throughout, kicked a much-needed goal on the stroke of three quarter-time, taking a strong mark about 40 metres from goal.
He converted to ensure the Eagles held a 25-point lead at the last change.
That was important because the Eagles had kept the door ajar with some poor execution going into attack, making it tough for the forwards
The Eagles opened up a 28-point advantage at half-time that was built around a sublime second term from Kelly, while key forwards Kennedy and Darling, with that level of supply were a handful for the Saints defence.
Kelly had 19 touches in the half, was responsible for some clinical ball movement out of the middle and that was the catalyst for a six goal term that got off to a great start when Darling kicked two goals in the opening three minutes.
In addition to Kelly’s work through the middle, Gaff provided strong run from behind the ball, Elliot Yeo did a lot of the bullocking work around the contest and Sheed was accumulating his share of the footy.
Defensively the standard was again set by Shannon Hurn, while Liam Duggan and Brad Shepard performed their roles.
Unusually, Jeremy McGovern, in his 150th game, and Oscar Allen shared the ruck responsibilities with Nic Naitanui and the ploy worked a treat against the classy Paddy Ryder and Paul Hunter.
The second quarter came after a tight opening term when the Eagles led by just a behind.
Unfortunately that came at a cost when Liam Ryan, after kicking his team’s second goal, left the ground with a hamstring strain and was replaced by medical sub Jarrod Brander.
Details
West Coast Eagles 2.2 8.6 11.7 14.10 94
St Kilda 2.1 4.2 7.6 13.8 86
Goals – West Coast Eagles: Kennedy 3, Darling 3; Sheed 2; Waterman, Naitanui, Langdon, Cripps, Kelly, Ryan. St Kilda: King 6; Butler 2; Hunter, Billings, Ryder, Sinclair, Membrey.
Best – West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Yeo, Gaff, Naitanui. Hurn, Sheed. St Kilda: Jones, King, Ross, Hill, Butler.
Injuries – West Coast Eagles: Liam Ryan (hamstring) replaced in first quarter by Jarrod Brander.
Attendance: 43,657
