West Coast pull off gutsy come from behind win over St Kilda

The West Coast Eagles have pulled off arguably their best win of the season after storming home to run over the top of their opponents.

The Eagles found their wings in the fourth quarter.

The West Coast Eagles looked completely out of gas as St Kilda kicked the opening three goals of the final quarter.

Running on top of the grass, the Saints had all of the running as they held onto an eight-point lead halfway through the final term.

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But refusing to roll over the Eagles surged back to life and responded with three unanswered goals as they flipped the script on the Saints.

A goal after the siren inflated the scoreboard, but it was one-way traffic to end the contest as the Eagles secured the 9.11 (65) to 6.14 (50).

The Saints will be left to rue a disastrous night in front of goal, a win would have all but locked up a spot in the finals.

For the Eagles they jump back into the top four on the AFL ladder with one round remaining in the 2020 season.

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Tim Kelly was unstoppable.

The win comes at a cost for the Eagles however as they lost star defender Jeremy McGovern to a hamstring injury, adding to an ever-expanding injury list that contains some serious star power.

Midfield duo Andrew Gaff and Tim Kelly ran rampant on the night with the pair combining for 62 disposals and two goals.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui fuelled his troops all night long in a dominant display, ending the game with 18 disposals and 33 hit-outs.

The Saints can lock up a spot in the finals in round 18 when they take on the GWS Giants. The Eagles take on the struggling North Melbourne and can seal a spot in the top four with a win and lock up a double chance in the finals.

Coach Adam Simpson was clearly happy with his squad and their fourth quarter efforts with cameras picking up a pumped up celebration from the man in charge.

Gotta love Adam Simpson's passion 🗣 pic.twitter.com/T9n5nf43pq

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 10, 2020

The win from the Eagles drew heavy praise from those watching on with many dubbing it one of the best for the club in recent memory.

“That was a brilliant effort by the West Coast. Under so much hardship they found a way. One of the best victories of the Year 2020. Character personified,” Terry Wallace wrote.

“Ultra professional the Eagles – well coached and well executed with so many players out injured. Some wins mean more internally than others due to circumstances – this would be one for the Eagles,” coach Rob Harding wrote.

“One of the gutsiest wins in West Coast Eagles history. Staying alive,” Illawarra Mercury sports editor Tim Barrow wrote.

“Credit to West Coast. Sensational win. So many out, McGovern done before HT and lost all momentum in last. Massive,” Channel 7’s Mark Stevens wrote.