The West Coast Eagles will have to wait for at least another week to lock in a maiden top-eight finish, after falling to the Swans by 17 points on Saturday at Henson Park. 

Sydney were playing to keep their own finals hopes alive, rising to the occasion on their home turf in the 6.7 (43) to 3.8 (26) victory.

The Eagles suffered a huge blow before the opening bounce with midfield gun Ella Roberts a late withdrawal due to hamstring tightness.

Bella Lewis (24 disposals, five clearances) and young gun Jess Rentsch (nine, four) were among the Eagles that stepped up in Roberts' absence, while veteran Emma Swanson (15) had a close eye on Swans onballer Montana Ham.

With Roberts sidelined, the Eagles were unable to match the Swans' onball brigade early in the contest and when the game was on the line during the third term.

West Coast have made an artform out of chasing down opponents late in games this season but even after booting the first goal of the final term were unable to catch the Swans on their home deck.

Swans forward Rebecca Privitelli made a statement early with a strong mark and the opening goal of the day, finishing with three majors in her 50th AFLW game. 

Sydney's Laura Gardiner gathered plenty of the footy, finishing with a game-high 30 disposals and three clearances, while Tanya Kennedy (24, seven) continued her impressive season in the midfield.

The Eagles return home for the final round of the regular season, facing Carlton on Friday night at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. 

SYDNEY                       2.3       3.3       6.6       6.7 (43)

WEST COAST              1.1       2.5       2.7       3.8 (26)

GOALS

Sydney: Privitelli 3, Cooper 2, Davies

West Coast: Dalgleish, L.Wakfer, Gibson

BEST 

Sydney: Gardiner, Kennedy, Ham, Privitelli, Fish, Morphett, McEvoy

West Coast: Lewis, Thomas, L.Wakfer, Britton, Swanson 

INJURIES 

Sydney: C.Hamilton (ankle)

West Coast: Nil

Crowd: 4517 at Henson Park