Seven losses on the trot would have shaken the belief of most men but West Coast coach John Worsfold knew his young AFL charges were headed in the right direction.

The premiership coach was proven right when the Eagles overcame a 26-point deficit early in the second term to post a brave 17-point win over St Kilda at Subiaco Oval.

Led by young guns Brad Ebert (25 possessions, three goals), Mark LeCras (four goals), Eric Mackenzie and Jamie McNamara, plus the old head of Michael Braun (27 possessions) and middle-tier player Brent Staker (22 possessions, three goals), West Coast showed their fans a glimpse of what looks to be a promising future.

"We've said all along that these young players are on track, well and truly, and probably now a lot of them are ahead of where we expected them to be at the end of this season because they are getting a lot more games under their belt," a proud Worsfold said.

"We ask them to give their best and I think they gave that.

"Our focus is on keeping our voice up, keeping positive regardless of what's happening on the scoreboard, keeping the teamwork up, which is about supporting each other through tough times and adversity.

"If you can do it now, you can do it easily when things are going well and that's been a big focus."

Staker, who has been in and out of the side all season, may have just earned himself another contract with his blistering performance through the midfield.

"He's worked extremely hard to become more consistent. It's been a focus because he's now one of our real senior players," Worsfold said.

"In that team today we expect him to play as a senior player and a leader. He is taking that responsibility on board."

Scores were level eight minutes into a pulsating final term before Quinten Lynch stepped up to the plate to deliver an almighty blow.

Lynch, who gathered 28 possessions and took nine marks playing further up the ground, unleashed a 65m monster punt from inside the centre square to put the Eagles up by a goal.

It was a moment that sparked a run of five unanswered goals as West Coast cruised to the 15.13 (103) to 12.14 (86) victory.

Riewoldt was one of the Saints' best with 5.3 in his 150th game while Lenny Hayes (31 possessions), Sam Fisher (28) and Brendon Goddard (26) created plenty of run and drive.

It was a costly loss for the Saints, who entered the match on a four-game winning streak but must now fight to maintain their spot in the top eight in the remaining five games of the season.

"It's a really disappointing loss," Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"We've got to regroup. The season's still well and truly alive."

Lyon said losing key defender Max Hudghton to a calf injury in the first quarter proved to be a bitter blow to his side's hopes of winning.

"It structurally put us under some pressure (in regards to) the ability to manipulate the midfield," Lyon said.

"It really put us under pressure there with the ability to use (Jason) Gram and Sam Fisher ... but again I'm loath to make excuses because at the end of the day I thought we had opportunities."

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