The Eagles dispatched Melbourne by 66 points on Saturday night at Patersons Stadium just hours after North Melbourne did West Coast and Simpson, its former captain and two-time premiership player, a huge favour by beating Adelaide to keep the Eagles hunt for eighth spot alive. 

West Coast still requires many results to go its way to play finals but everything has fallen into place so far. 

"I'm just excited that we're alive," Simpson said. 

"There's nothing worse than not being in contention and playing the last three or four games of the year for momentum for next year. It's just great for our group and our club and our young players that there's a chance."

Simpson revealed that he was barracking for North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

"They are my second favourite team the Kangas, the Shinboners," Simpson said. 

"We were fortunate that games have gone our way. We don't want to have to rely on all of this to get a finals appearance, but at the moment, that's where you're at."

The Eagles' attention turns to next weekend when they will play a sudden death match against the Suns at Metricon Stadium. 

They appear set to be without midfielder Mark Hutchings who was subbed out of the Melbourne win at quarter-time due to a hamstring strain. 

"I don’t know how bad it is," Simpson said. 

"He did come back on, but he just didn't look right. I don't think it was major but I think we made the right call."

Simpson was more positive about the prospects of Nic Naitanui. The 2012 All Australian ruckman was a late withdrawal on Saturday night with Achilles soreness.

"We should get Nic back hopefully and potentially," Simpson said. 

"We've got (Elliot) Yeo training quite solidly and (Scott) Selwood's pushing hard and hopefully (Xavier) Ellis, he's had a good week this week. I don't know if they are all going to be available, but they are pushing."