West Coast forward Josh Kennedy has booted five goals and Luke Shuey has starred through the midfield in the Eagles’ 77-point win over Gold Coast at Domain Stadium.
Kennedy had four goals to his name by halftime in Sunday’s 20.12 (132) to 7.13 (55) romp, which lifts West Coast (7-3) to be equal on points with third-placed Geelong.
The Suns have now lost seven AFL games on the trot, with their average losing margin during the past five weeks a worrying 87 points.
And it doesn’t get any easier for the injury-hit club, who take on flag fancies Sydney at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
West Coast were never truly challenged at their home fortress after the ruck dominance of Nic Naitanui helped set the tone early.
Kennedy feasted on the opportunities presented to him in the first half, while Shuey finished with 26 disposals and a goal.
Eagles recruit Lewis Jetta tallied 17 disposals and three score assists in his first game back from a two-week stint in the WAFL.
Kennedy’s latest haul takes his season tally to 37, which is just three behind Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin.
Skipper Gary Ablett tried hard for the Suns, finishing with 32 disposals and eight clearances.
Gold Coast were dealt a blow before the match when Kade Kolodjashnij failed to make the flight west because of illness.
And within a minute of the match beginning, star Suns midfielder Aaron Hall was left nursing a sore left shoulder after laying a heavy tackle.
Although Hall was able to return to the field, he was still troubled by the injury, and he eventually made his way into the change rooms to receive further treatment.
In the meantime, Kennedy and Jack Darling were proving to be a handful up forward.
Kennedy had 4.1 by halftime, and Darling chipped in with two to give West Coast a 43-point lead at the long break.
That buffer blew out to 71 points midway through the third quarter, but two quick goals to Tom Lynch gave Gold Coast something to cheer about.
Tempers threatened to boil over late in the match following several heated contests, but the result was well and truly in the bag by that stage.
