The mood during the week, given the disappointment of the performance against Richmond on WA Day, was quite sombre. The performance against the Tigers was sub-par and needed to be remedied.

It was going to take a strong resolve, powerful leadership to put that one aside and focus on the next challenge. There was a willingness within to commit to that challenge.

But in the hours leading up to the team announcement the up-beat mood in the corridors at West Coast headquarters took a hit. A couple actually, as first it became known Darren Glass would not play because of a hip injury.

Then sharp shooter Mark LeCras pulled out, the fractured arm sustained in round one was still giving him some grief. In addition, Will Schofield and Beau Waters, who had been touted as possible inclusions, were not passed fit.

On game day, it got worse. Josh Kennedy, who had been sore during the week, was ruled out with a calf injury.

Still, the Eagles were not without hope. Blayne Wilson would get an opportunity in his third year at the club, Jacob Brennan and Jamie Cripps would resume. And the Saints had been struggling.

The Saints, however, got away to a bright start, and for the most part controlled the first three quarters. Things were looking grim.

And the absence of designated on-field leaders, like Glass, Waters and Kennedy, a lift and on-field direction was required. It came in several forms – tough on-ballers Scott Selwood and Matt Priddis and the ever-evolving Eric Mackenzie.

The Eagles were not playing their best footy, but they persisted. Kept chipping and with a few minutes remaining were right in the thick of the game. It needed something special and Mackenzie delivered.

Having already pushed forward in the third quarter to make and goal – doubling his career tally – he made position for a kick-in after former Eagle Beau Maister (Wilkes) missed a set shot.

Shannon Hurn kicked long down the spine, Nic Naitanui helped the ball on its way. Matt Rosa gathered, looked inside 50 and saw nothing but space. He kicked it as hard and long as possible.

Mackenzie had set off when Hurn launched his bomb and continued to run, with Maister in pursuit. It was a foot race for the premiership points. Maister tripped and fell about 30 metres from goal, Mackenzie swooped, ran to the goal line and kicked the match-winner.

On a day when Wilson made an auspicious debut, the Eagles hung on in the last couple of minutes to claim a precious victory.

Round 11, 2013
Sunday, June 9 – Etihad Stadium

West Coast Eagles   3.5   4.7       7.9 12.12    (84)
St Kilda 4.2   6.7      9.10 11.14  (80)
Goals: West Coast Eagles – Darling 3; Embley, Priddis, Mackenzie 2; Cox, Naitanui, S Selwood. St Kilda – Milne 5; Maister 2; Saad, Riewoldt, Stanley, Dennis-Lane. Attendance: 23,795

Round 8, 2012
Sunday, May 20 – Patersons Stadium

West Coast Eagles 6.2  13.6   15.7   18.13   (121)
St Kilda    1.4    5.5   11.10 13.13   (91)
Goals: West Coast Eagles – Cox 5; Waters, Shuey, Naitanui 2; Gaff, Sheppard, Darling, Hill, McGinnity, Lynch, Schofield. St Kilda – Riewoldt 4; Cripps 2; Saad, Armitage, Steven, Dal Santo, Gilbert, Milne, Millera.
Attendance: 38,174  

Round 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16 – Etihad Stadium

St Kilda    6.1  8.4    8.4    13.4   (82)
West Coast Eagles   0.1  4.2    8.6      9.7   (61)
Goals: St Kilda – Milne 3; Koschitzke, Gamble 2; Peake, Armitage, Steven, Miontagna, Clarke, Dempster. West Coast Eagles – Gaff, Nicoski 2;Ebert, Kennedy, Shuey, Naitanui, Lynch.
Attendance: 31,416  

West Coast Eagles record against St Kilda (1987 to 2013)
PLAYED:  40 (11 night) - 21 (home) - 19 (away) - 0 (finals) - 52.5% at home, 47.5% away.
WON:  22 (8 night) - 15 (home) - 7 (away) - 55.0% of games won (of the 22 games won - 68.2% at home, 31.8% Away).
LOST:  17 (2 night) - 6 (home) - 11 (away) - 42.5% of games lost (of the 17 games lost - 35.3% at Home, 64.7% Away).
DRAWN: 1 (1 night) - 0 (home) - 1 (away) - 2.5% of games drawn.
HOME GAMES:  21 (15 won, 6 Lost) - 0 Finals - 71.4% won at home, 28.6% lost at home.
AWAY GAMES:   19 (7 won, 11 lost & 1 drawn) - 0 finals - 36.8% won away, 57.9% lost away, 5.3% drawn away.

Former West Coast Eagles listed players to be listed by St Kilda
Dale Kickett (2 games for West Coast in 1991, 21 games for St Kilda in 1992). [Also played 15 games for Fitzroy in 1990, 8 games for Essendon in 1994 and 135 games for Fremantle from 1995-2002].
Jason Heatley (3 games for West Coast in 1995-1996, 53 games for St Kilda from 1997-1999).
Fraser Gehrig (115 games for West Coast from 1995-2000, 145 games for St Kilda from 2001-2008).
Michael Gardiner (129 games for West Coast from 1997-2006, 52 games for St Kilda from 2008-2011).
Beau Wilkes (Maister) (23 games for West Coast from 2006-201, 19 games for St Kilda from 2012-round 2, 2014).

Former St Kilda listed players to play for West Coast
Peter Melesso (7 games for St Kilda from 1983-1985, 6 games for West Coast 1989-1990).
Peter Freeman (5 games for St Kilda from 1988-1990, 0 games for West Coast 1992-1993).
Phil Narkle (48 games for St Kilda from 1984-1986, 18 games for West Coast from 1987-1990).
Paul Harding (62 games for St Kilda from 1989-1991, 43 games for West Coast from 1992-1994).
- Premiership Player for West Coast in 1992. [Also played 12 league games for Hawthorn in 1987-1988].
Ian Dargie (10 games for St Kilda in 1989, 1 game for West Coast in 1991).
David Sierakowski (93 games for St Kilda from 1993-2000, 10 games for West Coast from 2001-2003).
Jamie Cripps (16 games for St Kilda in 2011-2012, 17 games for West Coast from 2013-round 2,  2014).
Mark Hutchings (0 games for St Kilda when on their rookie list in 2010 - not elevated, 9 games for West Coast in 2013).