WEST Coast has shaken up the race for the top-four with a very impressive 25-point win over a vulnerable Hawthorn at Domain Stadium.
But both sides have been left with a significant cost with ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Jonathon Ceglar going down with serious knee injuries in the third term.
Ceglar twisted his right knee after landing awkwardly in a marking contest and was helped from the ground by trainers.
Naitanui injured his left knee in almost identical fashion minutes later and was also helped from the ground.
It soured the Eagles' finest performance of the season, as they clubbed the Hawks in all facets to win 13.14 (92) to 10.7 (67).
The win keeps West Coast’s top-four hopes alive while Hawthorn has been brought back to the chasing pack.
Josh Kennedy kicked five goals, including three in a dominant opening term. Matt Priddis' strength around the ball and his distribution by hand was phenomenal, and Andrew Gaff worked tirelessly all night collecting 38 disposals.
Lewis Jetta played an influential game, especially in the opening half, as he staked a claim to keep his place in the senior side after an inconsistent first season at the Eagles.
Jack Darling and Mark LeCras kicked five goals between them.
The Hawks had few winners. Luke Hodge was outstanding off half-back and his interceptions and distribution ensured the Hawks stayed in the game. Shaun Burgoyne collected 25 disposals and kicked two goals, while Jack Gunston and James Sicily, who was a late inclusion, also kicked two goals apiece.
Mark Hutchings held Sam Mitchell to just 22 touches, his equal second lowest disposal total of the year.
The Eagles were smashed in contested possession in their loss to the Hawks in round two, but they turned the tables on Friday night.
They set the tone in the opening term, leading the contested possession count by 22 at quarter-time, the clearances by nine and the centre clearances by five to set up a 20-point lead at the first break.
Priddis led the domination in close but the Eagles' aerial work exposed the Hawks badly. They took 18 contested marks to two across the course of the night with Kennedy and Darling unstoppable inside 50, taking eight marks inside the arc between them.
The Eagles' pressure was also outstanding. The recalled Jetta epitomised their desperation, winning a holding the ball decision that led to his first goal since round seven and a brilliant spoil deep in defence that prevented a score.
The Eagles led by 32 points at half-time and 41 at three-quarter time, but their inaccuracy kept the Hawks in the game.
Hawthorn never gave up hope, kicking three goals to one in the last quarter, but they missed a couple of chances that could have really scared the home side.
The Eagles suffered another fright late when Scott Lycett limped off following a knee knock, but he came back on after being assessed.
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: Naitanui could not put any weight through his left leg and had to be carried from the ground. The physios did a stability test on it at three-quarter time. He sat the entire last quarter on the bench with ice on his left knee
Hawthorn: Ceglar's right knee injury looked serious, but he was able to walk unassisted to the rooms after being helped off the ground. He did not reappear and the Hawks covered the TV cameras in the rooms.
NEXT UP
The Eagles travel to Adelaide Oval to face the Crows in a Friday night meeting with significant ramifications. The Hawks face Collingwood at the MCG next Sunday.
WEST COAST 5.3 9.4 12.13 13.14 (92)
HAWTHORN 2.1 4.2 7.2 10.7 (67)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 5, Darling 3, LeCras 2, Jetta, Yeo, Shuey
Hawthorn: Gunston 2, Sicily 2, Burgoyne 2, Breust, Puopolo, Lewis, Whitecross
BEST
West Coast: Gaff, Priddis, Kennedy, Masten, McGovern, LeCras
Hawthorn: Hodge, Birchall, Lewis, Burgoyne, Sicily
INJURIES
West Coast: Naitanui (left knee), Lycett (leg)
Hawthorn: Ceglar (knee), Langford (illness) replaced in selected side by Sicily
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Nicholls, McInerney
Official crowd: 38,581 at Domain Stadium
