West Coast forward Josh Kennedy overcame an injury scare to boot six goals in his side’s 87-point demolition of Greater Western Sydney at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
Kennedy was left writhing in agony after hyper-extending his right elbow during a second-quarter marking contest.
The 27-year-old spent more than 20 minutes in the rooms receiving treatment, but he was able to return to help spearhead the 18.12 (120) to 4.9 (33) triumph in front of 34,554 fans.
Giants forward Jeremy Cameron was also in the wars, with the 22-year-old left dazed and bloodied in the opening term after being crunched by Shannon Hurn in a fair spoiling attempt.
Cameron was able to return to the fray, but he could only cobble together 1.2 from six disposals.
GWS have now lost all four of their matches against West Coast, with the average losing margin a whopping 95 points.
The Giants were being talked up as a finals contender following their strong 3-1 start to the season.
But after managing just one goal against West Coast after quarter time, those expectations are set to be tapered, especially with a daunting match against Hawthorn to come next week.
West Coast are now 3-2 following back-to-back wins, but their true progress will be better measured after next week’s clash with the Power in Adelaide.
Eagles defender Will Schofield appeared to injure his right ankle late in the third term of Saturday’s match, while Luke Shuey was bothered at times by his troublesome left ankle.
Shuey was influential with 24 disposals, nine clearances, and two goals, while Elliot Yeo also did a power of work through the middle.
Dylan Shiel was the best for GWS.
The 22-year-old suffered an injury scare during the warm-up when a teammate accidentally clipped his Achilles tendon.
But he shook off the injury to finish with 36 disposals and six clearances.
Kennedy booted 11 goals when he last faced GWS, and a similar haul looked possible after he brought down three grabs and booted 2.1 inside the opening nine minutes.
The Eagles led by just four points when a sore Kennedy left the ground early in the second quarter.
But his absence failed to dent West Coast’s spirits, with the home side slamming through 5.2 to 0.0 for the term to take a stranglehold on the contest.
Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui kicked two goals within the space of a minute to help inspire the carnage, while Yeo was also crucial in the surge.
West Coast didn’t let up in the second half, piling on nine goals to one to secure the win, with Prince Harry an interested observer.
