WEST Coast has overcome a case of the goalkicking yips to defeat Collingwood by 31 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Eagles' wayward 11.21 (87) to 7.14 (56) win under the roof on Saturday was their first against the Magpies in Melbourne since round eight, 2003.
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Collingwood suffered a major blow midway through the first term when key forward Travis Cloke was forced out of the game with a calf muscle injury.
But the win was also costly for the Eagles, who consolidated second spot, with in-form key defender Jeremy McGovern suffering a hamstring injury in the third term that looks serious.
It was Collingwood's fourth straight loss and if Adelaide win Sunday's Showdown, the Pies will drop out of the top eight.
Five talking points: Collingwood v West Coast
Typical of the horrendous goalkicking, a score review was needed to confirm the key moment of the last quarter.
Collingwood was pressing and only 12 points down when Eagles forward Mark LeCras had a set shot at close range.
The goal umpire thought it had shaved the point post but it was ruled a goal after the review.
That was the first of the Eagles' three goals to close out the match.
Last year's Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and LeCras, who kicked three goals, starred for the Eagles.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson was thrilled to emerge victorious from a challenging road trip.
"We were really pleased, really proud of our players," Simpson said of the win.
"It was a big ask, a big challenge to come over here and play against a team who is just as desperate as we are."
While the Eagles' bad kicking kept Collingwood in the game, the Magpies fluffed several chances in the second half that cruelled their chances of stealing the win.
Collingwood kicked five behinds in the last term.
Midway through the third term the Eagles had 10 more scoring shots, yet only led by 15 points.
Inevitably, the Magpies rallied a late goal and only trailed by seven points at the last change.
But Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui, who took control of the ruck in the second half, marked and goaled in the first minute of the last quarter to give his team a crucial break.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley lamented his side's inability to win in the past month despite playing good footy.
"We're just not quite good enough, are we?," Buckley said.
"We're just that little bit off at the moment.
"We've had periods through that month where our footy has looked more than likely.
"We've earned the right to win games ... not tonight but over the last month."
Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts was reported at the start of the last quarter for tripping Priddis.
LeCras is rewarded for his run as he kicks the Eagles' sealer! #AFLPiesEagles http://t.co/3a115r8zmx
— AFL (@AFL) July 18, 2015
- with staff writers
COLLINGWOOD 1.4 4.6 7.9 7.14 (56)
WEST COAST 2.6 4.10 7.16 11.21 (87)
GOALS
Collingwood: Fasolo 2, Blair, Grundy, Witts, Sidebottom, Swan
West Coast: Kennedy 3, LeCras 3, Cripps 2, Hill, Naitanui, Masten
BEST
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Crisp, Williams, Varcoe, Pendlebury, Oxley
West Coast: Gaff, Masten, LeCras, Priddis, Rosa, Hurn
INJURIES
Collingwood: Cloke (calf)
West Coast: McGovern (hamstring), Hill (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Jarryd Blair replaced Travis Cloke in the first quarter
West Coast: Mark Hutchings replaced Jeremy McGovern in the third quarter
Reports: Jarrod Witts was reported for tripping Matt Priddis in the last quarter
Umpires: Stephens, Nicholls, Jeffery
Official crowd: 36,527 at Etihad Stadium