THE PRE-FINALS bye derailed West Coast last season, but coach Adam Simpson is now relieved the Eagles will have the chance to "calm down a little bit" after an emotion-charged victory over Adelaide propelled them into finals.

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In a heart-stopping goodbye to Domain Stadium, the Eagles' 29-point triumph over the minor premiers was just enough for them to leapfrog Melbourne into eighth spot on the ladder. 

It was a fitting hometown farewell to retiring club champion Matt Priddis, plus veteran recruits Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie, and the Eagles will now plot an ambush of Port Adelaide in an elimination final on Saturday, September 9. 

"I'm glad there's a week off so we can actually calm down a little bit – even the coach is probably getting a bit carried away," a delighted Simpson said post-match

Watch Adam Simpson's full post-match press conference 

"The emotion of this week was massive, for us just to take a deep breath, acknowledge what we've done, enjoy it and then we don't have to play a game this Thursday or Friday night." 

The Eagles' finals hopes were on a knife's edge up until the last five minutes. 

Messages were sent from a tense coaches box that West Coast needed to score after Charlie Cameron's goal briefly pushed Melbourne back up into eighth spot, and maligned duo Lewis Jetta and Jack Darling delivered memorable majors.

"I thought Jetta in the last 10 minutes stood up with some really important plays and obviously Jack's mark late in the game, and his defensive pressure, was really important as well," Simpson said.

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"I was really pleased for both of them that they did stand up when it counted.

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"But there were some of the other efforts throughout the whole day that we were really proud of, and we got rewarded today. 

"We just haven't been getting rewarded enough this year." 

Simpson felt "a bit" for Melbourne but was grateful the "stars aligned" for West Coast to have the chance to play finals for a third-straight season.

Last year, the Western Bulldogs stunned the Eagles in Perth coming off the pre-finals bye before going on a fairytale run to win the flag from seventh on the ladder. 

Simpson was bullish about West Coast's chances of having an impact in September despite a rollercoaster season. 

"Now we're in it, we're in it to win it," he said.

"I suppose the bye gives you an opportunity to reset and have a look at where you're at and what you need to do.

"The Doggies doing it last year gives hope to everyone, but we've got to be playing at our best for four quarters to be a chance."

The cards seem to have fallen favourably for West Coast. The Eagles have never lost to the Power in three clashes at Adelaide Oval and are suited by the venue's narrow dimensions, which are similar to Domain Stadium.

"Who we're playing, it's a bit irrelevant really when you get to this position when you're playing finals," Simpson said.

"Most clubs will plan on what they need to do with their own style of play and how they need to play.

"We'll look at the opposition and try to sort through how we can beat them.

"But we need to play our own style and that's what stands up for finals."

Now the Eagles have qualified, Simpson said injured ruckman Nic Naitanui would continue to train in case the club makes a run deep into September. 

"He'll keep training. If we keep advancing you never know," he said.

"He's looking really good at the moment, super-fit, healthy, he's in a really good space."