IN A CASE of history repeating, West Coast coach Adam Simpson was deep in enemy territory when Jeremy McGovern slotted the match winning goal against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

After seeing his star defender take a mark inside 50, Simpson made a dash for the boundary line.

He attempted a similar move when Luke Shuey lined-up for goal after the siren in last year's elimination final.

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"I stood in exactly the same spot as I did in the final. I left the (coach's) box, got halfway down, getting some pretty good feedback from the Port crowd as I was there," he said.

"It was a bit of a flour bag (kick) to start with which 'Gov' tends to throw around every now and then, but it straightened itself up.

"I thought initially it was fading right and the wind was going across goals - clutch (kick) really and I'm really, really pleased for him."

The thrilling finish ends an "emotional" week for West Coast – the build-up to the match was overshadowed by Andrew Gaff's punch on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw.

Simpson said the club has moved on from the incident but admits the midfielder – who's serving an eight-week suspension – wasn't forgotten after the final siren.

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"We sent him a photo of the boys after the game," Simpson said.

"To lose Andrew (Gaff) like we did and it was a six-day break, so part of me thought it was good to get away, it took us right to the line to move on from it."

West Coast trailed all match but worked their way into the contest after a slow first quarter.

Injuries to Power trio Paddy Ryder, Charlie Dixon and Dan Houston in the third term also opened the door for the comeback.

Simpson said over-running a depleted opposition is easier said than done.

"We did our best to expose that and they did their best to nullify it, so that's why you saw the last quarter," he said.

"It was a game of chess really, that I didn't think we were winning."

WATCH Adam Simpson's full post-match press conference

The Eagles now turn their focus to next Sunday's match against Melbourne.

Simpson says they could be boosted by the return of forward Josh Kennedy from a shin injury.

"That'll be a good conversation that he'll be having with the strength and conditioning boys this week."

Jeremy McGovern was up to the task. Picture: AFL Photos