Josh Kennedy boots seven goals as West Coast thumps North Melbourne

Josh Kennedy needed six goals to reach the 600 mark. He did better than that as the key forward found form in West Coast’s big win over North Melbourne.

Josh Kennedy snaps the goal that brought up his 600th. Picture: Getty Images

Josh Kennedy returned to form to bring up his 600th career goal, underlining the champion he has become since becoming a reluctant pawn in the Chris Judd trade 12 years ago.

More importantly, Kennedy’s seven-goal haul against North Melbourne confirmed the 31-year-old has more to give as West Coast narrows its aim to the top-two finish that is the surest path to defending its premiership.

The 49-point trouncing of the Kangaroos, 18.13 (121) to 10.12 (72), at Perth Stadium has that ambition on track as Kennedy celebrated his milestone, with all but the first 11 of his career goals coming for the Eagles.

Significantly, Adam Simpson’s men did their best to top up their percentage as they piled on 10 goals to four in the second half to dislodge Brisbane from second place.

The performance was underpinned by a sustained midfield effort, with Elliot Yeo superb as he won five of his nine clearances out of centre square and Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden and Luke Shuey all important.

The Eagles had just a three-goal lead as reward for their first-half dominance, with the Kangas remaining in the picture despite being on the back foot.

Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal with teammate Jake Waterman. Picture: Getty Images

But a more efficient West Coast swiftly ended the contest in a fruitful third stanza, kicking clear with six goals to one despite having just one more forward entry.

The Eagles had 18 scoring shots to 10 at halftime on the back of a 29-20 edge in inside 50 entries.

Midfield quartet Shuey, Sheed, Yeo and Gaff were all prominent around the ball as the Eagles controlled the clearance battle, although the visitors lifted in the contest late in the second term.

Kennedy had three goals by quarter-time and five straight by the major break to stamp his authority on the game.

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Kennedy opened his account early but it was Willie Rioli and Jack Darling who guaranteed their spots on the highlight reel early with eye-catching goals.

Darling evaded three tacklers before snapping his first and Rioli took it up a notch with a contender for goal of the year.

Both Paul Ahern and Trent Dumont bought the candy Rioli was selling before the West Coast forward eventually found the space he wanted to kick truly.

Ben Cunnington can’t stop Elliot Yeo firing off a handball. Picture: AAP

Kennedy needed six goals to reach the 600 mark and he achieved it just a minute into the second half when an intercept from forward partner Darling created a spillage.

Now opposed to youngster Sam Durdin after Robbie Tarrant was shifted off him during the second term, the bearded veteran completed his magic moment in style, evading two tacklers before snapping the goal with his left boot.

Kennedy had taken his tally to seven by the final change, with the Eagles 46 points clear.

The day was about him and his goals but there was a moment late in the third term which confirmed Kennedy got just as much joy being the support act.

Dom Sheed goes on the attack for the Eagles. Picture: Getty Images

Having completed a juggling mark as he skidded along the turf on the forward flank, he offloaded a handball to Rioli before regaining his feet.

Rioli found another youngster in Jake Waterman with a neat pass onto the chest, prompting a fist pump behind the play from the man who started it.

East Fremantle product Cameron Zurhaar was one of few winners for the Kangaroos, getting his third goal in the final term to break a run of six consecutive majors from the Eagles bracketing three-quarter time.

Recalled defender Will Schofield generally kept Ben Brown out of the game, with the North Melbourne star getting both of his goals in the last quarter after the contest had been decided.

SCOREBOARD

WEST COAST 6.5 8.10 14.10 18.13 (121)

NORTH MELBOURNE 3.1 6.4 7.6 10.12 (72)

GOALS

West Coast: Kennedy 7, Darling 2, Rioli 2, Waterman 2, Ryan, Allen, Yeo, Petruccelle, Hickey

North Melbourne: Zurhaar 3, Brown 2, Wood 2, Thomas, Larkey, Polec

BEST

West Coast: Kennedy, Yeo, Sheed, Gaff, Redden, Jetta, Darling

North Melbourne: Polec, Zurhaar, Dumont, Ahern, Goldstein

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil

North Melbourne: Atley (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Dalgleish, Williamson

Official crowd: 54,376 at Perth Stadium

Originally published as Josh Kennedy boots seven goals as West Coast thumps North Melbourne