Without a host of key players, West Coast has recorded a gutsy 15-point win over St Kilda to seal a finals berth and maintain their push for a top four finish.
The Saints looked to have gained control in the final quarter before the Eagles – led by Tim Kelly and Nic Naitanui – rallied to kick the last four goals of the match.
Max King and Brad Hill will rue costly misses which would have put St Kilda two goals up with all the momentum in a dour, low-scoring contest.
But the experience of the Eagles came to the fore with Kelly (29 disposals and nine clearances), Naitanui (18 disposals, nine clearances, 33 hit-outs) and Andrew Gaff (33 disposals) standing up when it mattered most.
The loss leaves the Saints precariously placed ahead of a do-or-die clash against GWS which will decide their finals fate.
It was West Coast's fifth game in 19 days.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: McGovern injury a blow for Eagles
West Coast will be sweating over Jeremy McGovern’s hamstring injury.
The four-time All-Australian copped an early knock to head before hurting his right hamstring during the second quarter.
“He’s done a hamstring. Not much we can do about it,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson told Channel Seven at half-time.
Already without Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and Jack Redden, the loss of McGovern is a further blow for West Coast leading into finals.
“He’s done a hamstring. Not much we can do about it.”
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 10, 2020
- Adam Simpson on McGovern#AFLSaintsEagles pic.twitter.com/tCNS9IWQ8r
Did the Saints make a mistake at selection?
St Kilda’s decision to overlook key defender Jake Carlisle raised eyebrows.
Carlisle was expected to come in to help quell West Coast’s triple threat of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen.
The Saints looked undersized in defence against the Eagles’ tall timber with Kennedy, Darling and Allen kicking five goals between them.
Tim Watson and Garry Lyon discussed Carlisle on SEN Breakfast with Watson believing it could be an attitude problem behind his non-selection.
Carlisle is out of contract at the end of the season.
What’s next?
St Kilda must beat the Giants next Friday night if they’re any chance of making the finals, while West Coast will hope to clinch a top four finish when they meet North Melbourne next Thursday night.
FULL SCORE
St Kilda: 3.5, 3.5, 3.9, 6.14 (50)
West Coast: 2.1, 5.6, 5.9, 9.11 (65)
GOALS
St Kilda: Ryder, Membrey, Lonie, Ross, Butler, Marshall
West Coast: Darling 2, Allen 2, Kennedy, Ryan, Gaff, Kelly, Cole
BEST
St Kilda: Steele, Clark, Ryder, Howard
West Coast: Kelly, Naitanui, Gaff, Barrass, Ryan
Reports: Nil
Injuries
St Kilda: Nil
West Coast: McGovern (hamstring)