Kennedy bags six, Eagles beat Blues in AFL

Aug 12, 2017 - 1:53 PM Star forward Josh Kennedy booted six goals as West Coast overcame a major scare to beat Carlton by 17 points at Domain Stadium.

The Eagles appeared set for an easy victory after opening up a 35-point lead late in the second quarter on Saturday.

But, aided by a strong breeze, Carlton booted the next six goals to open up a shock six-point advantage.

A Kennedy goal just before three-quarter time settled West Coast's nerves, and the Eagles kicked five goals to three in the final quarter to secure the 15.10 (100) to 12.11 (83) win in front of 30,491 fans.

Kennedy's haul of 6.3 catapulted him to the top of the Coleman medal race with 60 goals, an even more impressive achievement given he missed five games with a calf injury.

Essendon's Joe Daniher sits second with 59.

"I have never met anyone who cares less about that than him," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said of Kennedy's Coleman medal ambitions.

"I think he has kicked (23) goals in four weeks, so he's in pretty good touch.

"We just have to get the ball in (more)."

The victory lifts West Coast (11-9) into seventh spot on the table ahead of tough matches against flag fancies GWS (away) and Adelaide (home).

The Eagles will need to win at least one of those to have a chance of reaching the finals, with percentage set to play a critical role in the eventual make-up of the top eight.

Carlton (5-15) are just 5.3 per cent ahead of the last-placed Lions, who thrashed Gold Coast earlier on Saturday at the Gabba.

Blues coach Brendon Bolton was proud of his team's effort.

"It's been a trait of our footy club all year, that when challenged they fight and dig deep," Bolton said.

The Blues dominated the inside 50m count 32-17 in the opening half, but failed to convert their opportunities.

Three goals to Eagles forward Jamie Cripps gave them a three-point edge at quarter-time, and Kennedy blew the game apart in the second term with three goals.

Carlton were left to rue a series of missed set shots, but the game turned on its head in the third quarter as the visitors surged with the wind.

Youngster Jack Silvagni missed a sitter from just 20m out, but he made up for it with two goals for the term.

And when Blaine Boekhorst kicked truly late in the term, Carlton were up by six points and a boilover loomed.

But the Eagles had two things in their favour - Kennedy up forward, and a gale-force breeze to kick with in the last quarter.

Both factors proved pivotal, with Kennedy adding two more goals to his tally to keep West Coast's finals hopes alive.

Source: AAP