Why West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson had faith in Josh Kennedy’s match-winning shot

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has declared there couldn’t have been a better position on the ground for Josh Kennedy to have the ball when kicking for goal to win the match after the Coleman medallist nailed a set shot around his body from the boundary line to give his team a famous victory over Richmond.

The Eagles fought back from 22 points down in the final quarter and hit the front with 36 seconds remaining thanks to Kennedy’s stunning goal. The 13.7 (85) to 12.9 (81) victory put the seventh placed Eagles one win clear of the Tigers and two games ahead of ninth.

Kennedy’s goal typified the Eagles’ night given they had seven goals straight at one stage. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick described the goal as “remarkable” and paid tribute to West Coast’s set shot kicking.

Simpson said he had full confidence that Kennedy would convert.

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“They’re talented players,” Simpson said.

“Our race at Mineral Resources Park, the race to go inside is right where JK kicked that goal. It’s literally the door. Out of any spot on the ground that’s probably the spot where he would have liked to have taken it.

“Who else would you rather have a shot for goal like that? Maybe Dom (Sheed). I think JK’s ability to ice the game like that was very special.”

Simpson described the game as feeling like “a heavyweight battle.”

Playing without Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard, and with Elliot Yeo on managed minutes, the Eagles rode the energy of 50,834 people. Shuey will return from a hamstring tendon injury in the WAFL on Saturday in a big boost for their run towards the finals.

Camera Icon Josh Kennedy celebrates with Luke Shuey after the game. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Second gamer Luke Edwards had 27 disposals including 11 in the final quarter while fourth gamer Luke Foley collected 22 possessions.

Yeo was influential in his third game back from injury. He had 20 disposals and seven clearances including the final centre clearance after Kennedy’s goal.

Simpson said the team would relish the bye and be much stronger to face the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on June 27.

“We might get five or six players back for that,” he said.

“We’ll see how we manage that. We need a break. Our players need a break, our coaching and footy department need a break so we’ll embrace the next three or four days we have off and then we’ll come back and reload for the Bulldogs.”