IF JD doesn’t get you, then JK must. West Coast’s forward line riches were underlined against St Kilda, with Josh Kennedy starring with a season-high six goals to cover for injured partner Jack Darling. When Darling, probably the Eagles’ best performer this season, hobbled off in the opening term with an ankle injury an inexperienced Saints defence – missing anchors Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown – might have had cause to breathe a sigh a relief. Instead, even double-teaming Kennedy wouldn’t be enough to stop the bearded champion as he went on a third-quarter rampage in what proved the decisive period of the match. Now both Darling (28 goals) and Kennedy (27 goals) are in the race for the Coleman Medal in a twin assault on leader Ben Brown (33 goals). Up by 48 points at the final change, the tiring Eagles needed nearly every bit of that buffer as they were given a scare. A plucky St Kilda, who had matched West Coast in some indicators even before their heroic late comeback, kicked seven of the eight majors kicked in the final term before running out of time. The end result ultimately extended their horrible season as the Eagles got home by 13 points at Optus Stadium, 16.5 (101) to 14.4 (88). It’s worth mentioning the valiant effort of a forward at the opposite end of the ground, after Tim Membrey finished with six straight goals in a superb display of his own after spraying 1.5 on his last visit to Perth just three weeks ago. Camera Icon Nic Naitanui had a big impact against the Saints. Credit: Getty Images Now riding a heady 10-game winning streak, the Eagles have multiple avenues to goal but their main avenue to goal last night also has multiple ways of getting it done. Kennedy’s four majors in a devastating 16-minute burst in the third term all came in a different way. His first a mark and set shot, his second a free kick earned from a brutal tackle, his third a free kick after three Saints went up against him and were still panicked into infringing and his fourth after he refused to panic himself, calmly turning and snapping truly after he umpire had called him to play on because of a touched ball. Earlier, the sight of Darling lying on the ground in agony on the outer flank late in the opening term would have sent a shudder through the West Coast coaching box. The vastly improved key forward had landed awkwardly from a marking contest, with his right foot appearing to catch the boot of St Kilda defender Logan Austin. Commentators speculating about a potential broken leg added to the sense of drama. But when Darling hobbled from the ground and then put weight on his injured right ankle as he walked around the boundary line the worst fears had been allayed. Darling tried to conduct something of a fitness test in the rooms early in the second term, but when he reappeared mid-way through the quarter on crutches with an ice pack strapped to his right ankle it was confirmation his night was done. The Eagles began brightly but the night kicked off on a sombre note. Nic Naitanui marked and kicked the first goal of the match and pointed to his black armband in memory of long-time club volunteer Trevor Perriam, who died on Thursday. The popular figure was also acknowledged by other players in their own celebrations throughout the game. Naitanui followed it up with a second set-shot goal before the first break as the home side raced out of the blocks. The Eagles extended their lead during the second term and held a 28-point buffer at the main break. Things were more comfortable on the scoreboard than they were in the clinches for West Coast, who were often beaten at the stoppages. The Saints won the clearances 11-7 for the second term, as Jack Steven and Seb Ross stood up against a West Coast on-ball unit that was without Luke Shuey, who was a late withdrawal as Dom Sheed got a reprieve. The Eagles were far more incisive going forward though and their half-time tally of 10.1 was both a measure of their accuracy and a replica of the win-loss record they would eventually have in their keeping despite being given a fright. WEST COAST 5.0 10.1 15.3 16.5 (101) ST KILDA 2.1 5.3 7.3 14.4 (88) BEST West Coast: J Kennedy, S Hurn, D Sheed, A Gaff, N Naitanui, T Barrass. St Kilda: T Membrey, J Sinclair, J Steven, S Ross, S Savage, J Newnes. GOALS West Coast: J Kennedy 6 J Cripps 2 M LeCras 2 N Naitanui 2 A Gaff D Sheed J Waterman W Rioli. St Kilda: T Membrey 6 J Gresham 2 J Newnes 2 J Lonie J Sinclair M Weller P McCartin. INJURIES West Coast: J Darling (ankle) St Kilda: J Geary (calf) B Rice (ankle) Reports: Nil Umpires: Jeff Dalgleish, Curtis Deboy, Eleni Glouftsis Crowd: 54,188 at Optus Stadium, Perth.<doc-sep>It should have been a relaxing night for Adam Simpson after West Coast posted their 10th AFL victory on the trot – but an ankle injury to star forward Jack Darling had the Eagles coach deeply concerned after the match. The ladder-leading Eagles are sweating on scans to determine the extent of the damage to Darling’s right ankle suffered in their 13-point win over St Kilda. Darling suffered the injury in the first quarter when he landed on a St Kilda player’s foot after going up for a mark. MORE: Jake Lever injury: Melbourne Demons backman suffers suspected torn ACL | The in-form 25-year-old did not return to the contest, instead watching on from the second quarter after making his way to the bench on crutches. “I don’t know how Jack is, he wasn’t good enough to come back on, so it was another ankle injury, so unfortunately we’ll find out with some scans and hope for the best,” a concerned Simpson said. Pressed on whether the key forward may have suffered an ankle fracture, Simpson replied: “I can’t rule anything out on Jack, sorry. He conceded when asked if Darling could face a lengthy stint on the sidelines: “I’m worried, but I always worry. “… Honestly, I’m not a doctor and I’m not going to lie to you … I don't know how he is. “I haven't spoken (to him) about how he’s feeling but he was on crutches after the game so we’ll get a scan and find out tomorrow or the next day.” The Eagles, four points clear at the top of the AFL ladder, have a bye next weekend. Their next game is a Round 13 blockbuster against Sydney at the SCG on Friday, June 15.<doc-sep>WHEN an AFL team claims a premiership, its 17 other rivals have two choices. They can fight fire with fire by copying the reigning premiers’ style and try to execute it to a higher standard the next year. Or they can create their own brand to combat what’s worked for the past premiers. West Coast has opted for the latter in 2018 — and its counter-cultural approach is driving the club’s unexpected push for the 2018 premiership. LIVE Stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW > While Richmond built its 2017 flag on a predominantly small, high-pressure forward line — a trend many thought other teams would try to copy this year — Eagles coach Adam Simpson has deliberately packed his forward line with genuine forwards, often talls, to date. It’s a selection policy that has paid dividends for the Eagles, who on Saturday night registered their 10th consecutive win — their third-longest winning streak in the club’s history — defeating St Kilda by 13 points at Optus Stadium. It proved to be a far from convincing win, with the Saints producing a mightily impressive late comeback with seven goals to one in the final term. The fightback was inspired by Tim Membrey’s excellent return to goalkicking form, booting 6.0 from 20 disposals and nine marks — one month after he kicked 1.5 against Fremantle, which was his last game in Perth. But the 48-point margin early in the final term proved too great for the Saints to reel in, with the Eagles’ dynamic forward line proving too potent early in the game. Unlike the Tigers, who use Jack Riewoldt as their only tall forward, the Eagles are playing more genuine forwards — both tall and small — in their forward 50, which has led to the club having the third-best offence and second-best percentage in the league. It’s a tactical and selection tweak that Simpson discussed on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, saying the club had deviated from a previous strategy of rotating midfielders through the forward line. On Saturday night, the Eagles packed their forward line with big blokes to try and expose St Kilda’s weakened defence, which was already missing its three best backmen in Jake Carlisle, Nathan Brown and Dylan Robertson. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! The Eagles' very tall forward line. Source: FOX SPORTS At one stage during the first quarter, all of Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett found themselves inside the same forward 50, with Jake Waterman not too far outside the arc either. It gave the Eagles a clear advantage in the air, taking 11 marks inside the forward arc to St Kilda’s six. “We know how undermanned St Kilda’s backline are and the Eagles have taken full advantage of it,” former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon told Fox Footy. “When they get it in there, whether it’s from a mark or a fast play, they’re so dangerous.” Kennedy produced his biggest goal haul for the year to date, kicking six goals, including four in the third quarter that broke the game open for the Eagles. Josh Kennedy kicked six goals. Source: AAP In doing so, Kennedy extended his lead in a couple of insane records he already holds. According to respected statistician ‘Swamp’, Kennedy has now kicked at least one goal in his past 50 consecutive games — clearly the longest streak of any active player. Swamp also pointed out that Kennedy’s six-goal bag was his 16th haul of six majors or more since 2013 — five more than Swans superstar Lance Franklin. In an era where footy fans often lament the decline of the genuine full-forward, Kennedy is a genuine AFL treasure. Yet it was a somewhat bittersweet night for the Eagles’ forward brigade, with Darling injuring his right ankle in a marking contest during the opening quarter. Darling was in agony after suffering his first-quarter injury, but he allayed fears of a break by walking unaided to the change rooms. The 25-year-old wasn’t able to return to the field, however, with the spearhead forced onto crutches. St Kilda were also dealt an injury blow, with captain Jarryn Geary’s night ending in the third quarter because of a calf issue. Jack Steven of the Saints. Source: AAP West Coast entered the match without star midfielder Luke Shuey, who was due to return from a hamstring injury but was withdrawn on Saturday morning. This opened the door for Dom Sheed, who was unlucky to have been dropped initially. Sheed finished the match with 26 disposals and seven clearances. West Coast’s 10th victory in a row keeps it a game clear on top of the ladder. St Kilda remain winless since round one, leaving coach Alan Richardson with just 34 victories to his name from his first 100 games in charge. — with AAP Re-live the action in our live blog below. If you can't see it, tap HERE.<doc-sep>THE AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a weekend to celebrate footy’s finest indigenous talent. And it’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the impact of those players who helped blaze a trail for the current crop of indigenous stars. So it was a classy touch from a Perth hotel manager to include a heartfelt note for St Kilda’s visiting side ahead of their clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium. Novotel Perth Langley manager Grant Alchin paid respect to WA product and Saints great Nicky Winmar’s impact, which was captured in a famous photograph. Alchin’s note included the picture of Winmar pointing at his skin in 1993 to underline the pride in his heritage. The note read: “25 years on this remains one of the most courageous and inspiring images in the history of Australian sport. “One of WA’s favourite sons and a St Kilda champion changing the narrative for the nation through pride and passion. “Thank you for the positive impact you bring to the community through your support of the AFL’s Indigenous Round. “Wishing you great success against the Eagles on Saturday.”<doc-sep>
Jack Darling of the Eagles is assisted from the field with a lower leg injury. THE West Coast Eagles have been dealt an injury blow to one of its star players, with in-form forward Jack Darling suffering a nasty-looking lower leg injury. Darling went down clutching his right ankle after a marking contest at half-forward against St Kilda at Optus Stadium. The 25-year-old went for a high mark before his right foot landed on Saint Logan Austin’s foot, causing the Eagle’s ankle to roll awkwardly. Play stopped as Darling was attended to by Eagles trainers. Jack Darling went down with an ankle injury. Source: FOX SPORTS But in a promising sight for Eagles fans, Darling was able to limp off the ground with some assistance from the club’s medical staff. He was then seen walking unassisted down to the Eagles’ rooms for further assessment. Darling was seen on an exercise bike on the bench during the early stages of the second term, but the club soon after ruled him out for the rest of the match with a badly rolled ankle. he then emerged on crutches with ample ice on the injury. It’s been suggested Darling may have suffered ligament damage to his ankle and on top of his right foot. Jack Darling went down with an ankle injury. Source: FOX SPORTS The good news for the Eagles is they have the bye next round, giving Darling an extended break to recover from his injury. Darling’s scare came after the Eagles withdrew gun midfielder Luke Shuey from Saturday night’s clash against the Saints, with Dom Sheed a late inclusion. Shuey, the Eagles’ vice-captain, had been named to return for his first game since the Round 7 win over Port Adelaide, where he suffered a hamstring setback. The Eagles insisted that they were playing it safe with Shuey, who could’ve played but the club erred on the side of caution.