WEST Coast has vaulted to fifth on the AFL ladder after a convincing 32-point win over a struggling North Melbourne at Domain Stadium. 

In a game where both sides were fighting for legitimacy it was the Eagles who led from start to finish to claim their first win over a top-eight side this season, winning 16.8 (104) to 11.6 (72).

Eagles coach Adam Simpson was very satisfied with his side's performance.

"We were really pleased with the brand of footy we played today," Simpson said post-match.

"It was a tough, hard slog. Of course North would respond. I know they lost a few players as well, so we take that into consideration. But I thought we got the job done." 

The Kangaroos have now lost five of their last six, all against top-eight opponents. They have slid from the top of the ladder after round 12 to eighth just four weeks later.

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North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was still upbeat despite four losses in a row.

"We have played four pretty good teams in the past month and really I didn't walk away discouraged that our best wasn't good enough to win those games," Scott said post-match.

"We just have to keep working on that - rediscovering our best and getting some personnel back."

Luke Shuey and Matt Priddis led the way in the midfield with 31 contested possessions, 14 clearances and 17 tackles between them, while Andrew Gaff was damaging on the outside with 25 disposals and a goal.

Shannon Hurn's kicking out of defence was flawless, with all 16 of his kicks hitting the target, including a rare shot on goal. Jeremy McGovern took five contested marks in defence and was resolute throughout.

Five talking points: West Coast v North Melbourne

Josh Kennedy bagged four goals but could have claimed the lead in the Coleman Medal if he didn't miss four other chances.

The Kangaroos had few winners on the day.

Ben Brown was excellent up forward kicking four goals, including two freakish efforts, and Andrew Swallow fought hard with 25 disposals, 12 contested, in his 200th game. Trent Dumont was also a good contributor with 21 disposals and a goal. 

Simpson said mid-week that the Eagles needed to at least match or better the Kangaroos in the contest if they were to win on Sunday, and they did just that with a fierce display around the ball.

They only lost the contested possession count by four and the clearances by five despite Todd Goldstein's 65 hit-outs. Simpson was very pleased with Scott Lycett's competitiveness. The Eagles also laid 77 tackles to 60.

"I thought on occasions we've been found wanting in that area for longer periods," Simpson said.

"So I thought we met the challenge pretty well."

The Eagles were far more efficient going inside 50, yielding seven more scores from the same number of entries.

The Kangaroos did not help their own cause. West Coast kicked four goals courtesy of 50m penalties the Kangaroos gave up through either ill discipline or carelessness.

Scott had stern words with his players after the game about those incidents.

"You don't want to give up four goals to free kicks and 50m penalties," Scott said.

"We play an aggressive combative sport and there is a fine line you walk, and the difference between hard and combative versus undisciplined is quite thin at times and we were on the wrong side today."

The Kangaroos injury toll also continues to mount. They entered the clash without star trio Daniel Wells, Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins and then lost Nick Dal Santo pre-game due to illness.

Farren Ray suffered a hamstring injury in the second term and took no further part in the match, before Mason Wood suffered a suspected medial ligament injury in the third term, leaving the Kangaroos with just two on the bench in the last quarter.

Eagles ruckman Scott Lycett could face scrutiny from the Match Review Panel for a high front-on hit on Jack Ziebell in the first quarter. Ziebell bounced back to his feet quickly and suffered no ill effects, but Lycett does have a poor recent record after he was suspended for one week earlier this year for striking.  

MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: The Eagles appeared to escape without any injury issues. 

North Melbourne: Dal Santo was withdrawn pre-game due to illness. Ray injured his right hamstring in the second term and did not return. Wood suffered his knee injury when Will Schofield accidently fell across his leg. Brent Harvey copped a left knee knock. He played out the game but required strapping and was hobbling throughout. Swallow also copped a knock to the knee in the last quarter.  

NEXT UP
The Eagles will play at the MCG for just the second time this season when they face Carlton on Sunday. The Kangaroos face Port Adelaide off a six-day break at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. 

WEST COAST                   3.2   9.4   13.7   16.8   (104)
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.1   6.4    8.4    11.6   (72)           

GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Cripps 3, LeCras 2, Gaff, Hurn, Lycett, Yeo, McGinnity, Darling, Masten
North Melbourne: Brown 4, Thomas 2, Gibson, Dumont, Goldstein, Wood, Anderson 

BEST 
West Coast: Shuey, Priddis, McGovern, Kennedy, Masten, LeCras
North Melbourne: Swallow, Ziebell, Brown, Gibson, Dumont, 

INJURIES 
West Coast: Nil
North Melbourne: Dal Santo (illness, replaced in the selected side), Ray (hamstring), Wood (left knee) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, Nicholls, Kamolins

Official crowd: 35,168 at the Domain Stadium