Adam Simpson praises West Coast Eagles fans’ patience as club breaks lengthy losing drought

Willie Rioli dazzled and Josh Kennedy turned back time to lead West Coast to a drought-breaking and morale-boosting victory over Essendon at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

The Eagles ended a club record nine-match losing run, snapped a streak of nine straight losses at their home ground and jumped off the bottom of the ladder with their upset 10-point win over the Bombers.

In front of a raucous crowd of 40,933 that desperately willed their team across the line, Rioli shone with 19 disposals, three goals and four clearances as West Coast kicked their highest score of the season in the 16.11 (107) to 14.13 (97) victory.

Coach Adam Simpson said his major emotion was relief.

“It’s been a long time between drinks,” Simpson said.

“We’ve been working pretty hard for a few weeks now at trying to get a little bit of our system and identity right.

“In the end, it could have gone either way. But I think probably since half-time of the Adelaide game we’ve seen slow improvement and we’ve got some players back as well, so talent helps everything.

“(The fans) have stuck fat with us. We’ve given them some good times over the years, but it’s been tough this year. So we appreciate them turning up because I can’t remember the last time we won here at home.”

Camera Icon Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

It was the Eagles’ first win at Optus Stadium for 11 months, after they beat St Kilda in round 19 last year, and just their fourth victory in 23 matches since last year’s mid-season bye.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten was left to lament how his side lost after winning the inside-50 count 58-42.

Having trailed by 22 points in the first quarter, the Eagles surged back into the contest on the back of an improved midfield effort as Kennedy kicked five goals and Elliot Yeo again impressed as a defensive rebounder.

Kennedy’s return of 5.0, his biggest bag in more than two years, stood in contrast to opposing spearhead Peter Wright’s 4.4.

Simpson said he hoped to recall ruckman Nic Naitanui for next Sunday’s meeting with Richmond at the MCG should he successfully navigate his comeback from a knee injury in the WAFL on Saturday.

Having kicked 14.3 in their only previous win of the season against Collingwood in round four, the Eagles again rode their straight kicking as they booted 9.3 by three-quarter time to hold a five-point lead.

“It probably kept us in the game didn’t it, the first half in particular we kicked straight,” Simpson.

“Our ball movement is getting better, we’re giving our forwards more opportunities.”

Camera Icon West Coast’s Jack Petruccelle spoils the mark of teammate Shannon Hurn. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

The result lifted West Coast off the bottom of the ladder and they will finish the round in 17th position unless North Melbourne defeat Adelaide on Sunday.

The Eagles will enjoy a nine-day break ahead of their first visit to the MCG this season, when they take on Richmond next Sunday. The Tigers dished out a 109-point flogging to an undermanned West Coast in round seven in Adam Simpson’s heaviest loss as coach.