Forget about merely being a dark horse for the AFL flag – West Coast now have a case to be outright favourites.
The Eagles boosted their top-two hopes on Sunday with a 47-point win over defending premiers Richmond at Optus Stadium.
Jack Darling booted a career-best six goals and Josh Kennedy kicked three in the 20.10 (130) to 12.11 (83) win, while Jeremy McGovern starred in defence.
Scores were level at halftime, before West Coast piled on 11 of the next 14 goals to seal the victory in front of 57,616 fans.
West Coast’s frenetic tackling pressure brought Richmond undone, with star Tiger Dustin Martin caught holding the ball two times in the third quarter alone.
During the week, West Coast coach Adam Simpson shot down talk the top-of-the-table clash could be a grand final preview, saying it was ridiculous to make such statements in round nine.
But West Coast’s eight-match winning run has put them a game clear on top of the table, and in prime position to launch an assault on the flag.
Earlier in the day, Melbourne moved into third spot after they smashed Carlton by 109 points at the MCG, while the previously winless Lions shocked Hawthorn by 56 points at the Gabba.
Simon Goodwin’s side was sixth heading into the round with a 5-3 record and put in their most polished performance of the season in a 25.9 (159) to 7.8 (50) win over Carlton.
Melbourne’s percentage improved from 113.2 to 127.0 on the back of the lopsided result, which sent the Blues to the bottom of the ladder.
Luke Hodge faced Hawthorn for the first time since his surprise move north and the four-time premiership Hawk came out on top, Brisbane scoring an upset 20.9 (129) to 11.7 (73) win.
Charlie Cameron took a contender for mark of the year and Dayne Zorko had 30 touches, 11 tackles and a goal as the Lions snapped an eight-game losing streak to climb off the bottom of the ladder.
The Crows kicked off round nine on Friday night with a 9.9 (63) to 2.14 (26) win over the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.
In pouring rain, Adelaide star Eddie Betts booted four goals as the Dogs kicked two goals or less for just the second time in the club’s history.
Sydney superstar Lance Franklin earned another entry in the record books when he became the second player in history to boot 300 goals with two clubs in the Swans’ 17.9 (111) to 7.10 (52) win at the SCG.
Franklin booted 580 goals in nine seasons at Hawthorn and took his career tally to 881 with three goals on Saturday night to follow Tony Lockett (St Kilda and Sydney) into the record books.
Essendon shocked Geelong – 12.12 (84) to 7.8 (50) – at the MCG on Saturday.
After a week of turmoil, the Bombers led all day with Shaun McKernan bagging a career-high four goals.
Also on Saturday, North Melbourne continued their impressive season with a 17.10 (112) to 9.15 (69) win over GWS in Hobart.
Kangaroos full-forward Ben Brown booted five goals – all in the third quarter – to maintain his lead in the Coleman Medal race.
Gold Coast were well in the contest against Port Adelaide at halftime, but faded to an 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42) loss in Shanghai.
St Kilda held a slim lead early in the third quarter against Collingwood, but suffered a similar fadeout in a 15.10 (100) to 10.12 (72) loss at Etihad Stadium.
