Eagles' AFL veterans refuse to go quietly

West Coast's retiring trio Matt Priddis, Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie were key players in their side's extra-time AFL elimination final win over Port Adelaide.

Drew Petrie celebrates one of his two goals

Drew Petrie was just one of a trio of Eagles veterans to show they still have it at the top level. (AAP)

The decorated AFL careers of Sam Mitchell, Matt Priddis and Drew Petrie will continue for at least one more game following West Coast's extra-time elimination final win over Port Adelaide.

The trio refused to go quietly into retirement and fought tooth-and-nail in the stunning 12.6 (78) to 10.16 (76) win at Adelaide Oval, sealed by a Luke Shuey goal after the siren.

Priddis had 33 possessions, with 10 clearances, laid 10 tackles and kicked a clutch goal.

Mitchell, a four-time premiership star with Hawthorn, was at his creative best, finishing with 26 touches and five clearances.

Petrie, the last of the three to declare his intention to retire, kicked two goals, each at key stages of the game, and had 18 hitouts backing up lead ruckman Nathan Vardy.

"Drew was exceptional ... maybe I'll have to have a chat to him (about staying on) in a couple of weeks," coach Adam Simpson said with a wry smile.

"Pridda and Mitch are working really well together, they're playing to their strengths and that's all that we've asked them to do at the back end of their careers.

"I think resting them in the back end of the season has paid off for a us a bit. I think resting them late in the season has paid off for us, we copped some criticism for that, but they're both feeling a bit better for it."

The Eagles now play Greater Western Sydney in a sudden-death semi-final at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.


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Source: AAP



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