The adaptability of Matt Priddis and the courage of Mark LeCras were critical as West Coast scored a major upset AFL win over Essendon.
If the Bombers are stripped of their premiership points over the supplements scandal, then the Eagles’ remain a slim chance to make the finals following Sunday’s 53-point win at Etihad Stadium.
It was the Eagles’ first win this season against a top-eight side.
After a woefully scrappy first half by the two teams, West Coast steadily took control and broke clear in the final term.
Predictably, Priddis was supposed to tag Bombers captain Jobe Watson.
But when Heath Hocking kept trying to stop Priddis going to Watson, the Eagles countered by rearranging their midfield.
Priddis was given more freedom to play his own game and he tore Essendon apart with outside running.
In the second term, the game looked over for LeCras when he fell heavily in the second term and hobbled off with sore ribs.
But he was back on the start of the third term and also torched Essendon with five second-half goals.
“He was pretty sore … he’s a talented player, but he’s also a tough kid,” coach John Worsfold said of LeCras.
“He’s played most of this year with a cracked arm as well.
“We know mentally he’s a tough kid and he will push through.
“He’s been threatening and he’s played some good games for us this year, but he hasn’t had the continuity to get through after breaking his arm (at the start of the season).”
Worsfold would not buy into talk about what the win meant for the Eagles’ finals hopes.
Asked if West Coast were a “silly chance” to sneak into the top eight, he replied: “I see ourselves as a silly chance to win the next few.
“I don’t know how silly – that’s up to people to make that call.
“But what that means … I don’t know what number win that was for us this year.
“I don’t know where it puts us and I don’t know who (is) around us and how many wins they have.
“I really don’t look at the ladder – you can make all those calculations, we’re just looking forward to playing with intensity next week.”