West Coast have fallen just short of pulling off the upset of the AFL season, coughing up a 31-point lead on the way to an eight-point loss to St Kilda in front of 35,579 fans at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles were under huge pressure following last week's 171-point loss to Sydney - the equal-fourth largest defeat in VFL/AFL history.
Some fans even threatened to boycott the opening quarter of Sunday's match.
West Coast were dealt two late blows when star midfielder Tim Kelly and Luke Edwards were ruled out through illness.
Against all odds, the home side opened a 31-point lead in the second quarter, and they still led by 20 entering time-on in the third.
But the Saints kicked the final four goals of the match to seal the 12.13 (85) to 12.5 (77) win, lifting them to fifth spot with a 9-6 record.
Mitch Owens kicked a career-high four goals for the Saints, while ruckman Rowan Marshall made a telling contribution with 26 disposals, 34 hit-outs, eight clearances and six tackles.
Saints midfielder Brad Crouch was also influential with 17 tackles alongside seven clearances and 26 possessions.
West Coast skipper Luke Shuey produced a Herculean performance with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Tom Barrass took 14 marks in defence.
Owens kicked the opening goal of the match after just 15 seconds, but any thought of an onslaught like last week was quickly put to bed as West Coast gritted their teeth and got to work.
Shuey led from the front with eight tackles in the opening quarter as West Coast players threw their bodies into contests and harassed their opponents.
Noah Long kicked a remarkable banana goal from the pocket amidst a pack of players to send the crowd wild, and the Eagles were given a standing ovation at quarter time after going into the break with a 25-18 lead.
St Kilda defender Josh Battle was subbed out in the second quarter after being crushed in a marking contest by Oscar Allen.
Alarm bells were blaring for the Saints in the second term as the lead ballooned to 31 points.
West Coast's gang tackling and precise ball movement proved too much for the shellshocked Saints to handle, but a late goal to Anthony Caminiti after a mark on the goal line gave the visitors something to build from.
St Kilda dominated the third quarter with six goals to three to close the gap to just one point at the final change.
It set up an enthralling finish, and Owens sealed the only goal of a hard-fought final quarter to lift St Kilda over the line.
Despite losing, injury-hit West Coast can hold their heads high in what was one of their bravest performances in recent years.
