Kennedy bags six as Eagles beat Blues

STAR forward Josh Kennedy booted six goals as West Coast overcame a major scare to beat Carlton by 17 points in last night’s AFL clash at Domain Stadium.

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

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.

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) is just 5.3 per cent ahead of the last-placed Lions, who thrashed Gold Coast earlier at the Gabba.

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