WEST Coast will "throw the absolute kitchen sink" at Brisbane in the final round and weigh up recalling injured spearhead Josh Kennedy after failing to secure a top-two spot in Sunday's pulsating loss to Melbourne, coach Adam Simpson says.
The Eagles are also crossing their fingers star forward Jack Darling's concussion suffered in the first term against the Demons isn't serious enough to rule him out of the tricky Gabba trip.
West Coast can clinch second spot and two priceless home finals with victory over Brisbane, but a loss would likely see the Eagles travel to play a qualifying final at the MCG.
Darling going down at the 10-minute mark after hitting his head on the Optus Stadium turf left the Eagles undersized in attack and unable to match Melbourne's firepower in a 17-point defeat.
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But Simpson was quick to pay the Demons credit after they burst out of the blocks with four quick goals and withstood West Coast's late charge to book a finals berth for the first time since 2006.
"We got beaten by a better side. We got jumped at the start, jumped in a lot of areas, obviously on the scoreboard, but the contested ball was a concern," Simpson said.
"Then we lost JD pretty early in the piece … which took a little bit of an adjustment for us.
"We were fighting for three-and-a-half quarters to stay in the game.
"We couldn't stop some of the things Melbourne did, but geez the boys never gave up, so the spirit is still there and the season is still up for grabs."
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Simpson had "no idea" if Darling was in any doubt for the Brisbane trip but the big forward was fine post-match.
"He couldn't come back on, but I don't think it's horrendous," he said.
"He's OK, he's walking around, it's all fine there, but I couldn't tell you what's going to happen."
Kennedy hasn't played in the past four matches after copping his second hairline fracture in his right leg this year but will push to return for a crucial trip.
WATCH Adam Simpson's full post-match press conference
"We'll have to look at it and see if he trains this week. I wouldn't say rush (him back). When he's ready, he's ready, it's whether he's ready this week," Simpson said.
"If he doesn't play this week he gets a bye and then it's a fair break between games.
"We'll weigh that up tomorrow."
Without their two leading goalkickers, the Eagles had to rely on livewire Willie Rioli (three goals) as their most dangerous forward on Sunday.
Midfielder Mark Hutchings was their only other multiple goalkicker.
West Coast has won on the past four visits to the Gabba, but Chris Fagan's men have improved significantly in a five-win season and will be eager to finish the campaign on a high.
"I'd say they're a four or five-goal better side at home, and even when they play away they're hard to beat, so it's game on this week for us," Simpson said.
"We're not taking anything lightly, so we'll be playing our best available and we'll throw the absolute kitchen sink at this game."
