West Coast have reasserted their premiership credentials, whilst deflating the Collingwood bubble, with a nailbiting 16.16 (112) to 15.8 (98) victory at Subiaco Oval.

In a match which easily lived up to its match-of-the-round billing, it took all of West Coast's class to finally overcome the gallant Magpies, who refused to buckle after a blistering Eagles' start.

Much-maligned Eagles forward Quinten Lynch ended up West Coast's most potent forward with an equal career-best five goals, but once again it was skipper Chris Judd who provided magic when it was needed most.

For Collingwood, Josh Fraser was brilliant, while Leon Davis provided its attacking inspiration in the third term, with three goals which threatened to snare a sensation victory.

But with the match in the balance late in the fourth quarter, Ashley Hansen's second goal - following a wonderful intervention by Daniel Kerr - finally broke Collingwood's resistance.

As has happened so often this season, Chris Judd set the tone of the match immediately, as did the returning Ben Cousins, reading a tap from Cox to strike the first blow.

With Collingwood chasing shadows and four goals down, Rocca took it upon himself to announce Collingwood's presence.

A massive contact with a flying David Wirrpanda left the defender prone, and rattled him sufficiently to force a mistake seconds later that led to Rocca's first.

The burly forward's second goal early in the second term continued the surge, and when Fraser freed himself twice inside fifty Collingwood had snatched the lead.

With the match in the balance, the Eagles' faith in forward Ashley Sampi was rewarded with his strength enabling Lynch to find Judd on the perfect angle, to restore the Eagles' lead a point in front.

And when Sampi took a handball from the impressive Jamie Graham in his stride to kick his first goal for a month, Eagles' fans were breathing easier.

The rejuvenating effect of the late goal held over to the third quarter, and after Lynch goaled again from Daniel Chick's surge, the Eagles' seemed in control.

But this is Collingwood 2006, and after a gap of 24 minutes between goals, Alan Didak got their ball rolling again.

Lynch's night out continued when the much maligned forward took a strong mark and converted - but at the other end Leon Davis was beginning to motor.

His first, a long bomb of which Rocca would have been proud, lit the flame and after Licuria's chip, Davis pounced on another Wirrpanda error to reduce the margin to nine.

With the Eagles looking tired after the derby exertions, Blake Caracella was turning around an ordinary night, nudging Mark Nicoski under the ball to find Scott Burns, and reduce within three.

Davis's third for the quarter, after just clearing the backpedalling Chick gave Collingwood the lead, and at three-quarter time, the curse of Perth teams after the western derby looked set to return.

But as West Coast appeared to be set to lose a second successive home game, returning forward Ashley Hansen showed his worth with his first for the year.

A fabulous snap from Scott Burns deep in the pocket tied it up again but after Lynch's huge fifth, equalling a career best, Kerr's ease of movement in space found Hansen who kicked surely under the severest pressure.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP