WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has hailed Saturday's thrilling come-from behind victory over Greater Western Sydney as the club's best performance since he took over as coach.

The Eagles trailed by 18 points midway through the final term at Spotless Stadium but came away with a one-point win thanks to some last second heroics from ruckman Nic Naitanui, a big fourth quarter from midfielder Luke Shuey and a huge team effort.

Simpson, who took over as coach in 2014, said his players executed the club's two-minute drill to perfection as the clock ticked down to take the game away from GWS.

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"I'm really proud they were tougher for longer today. They found a way," Simpson said after the match.

"It was the best win we've had as a club in my time, with what we were up against.

Five talking points: Greater Western Sydney v West Coast

"Six-day break, top-four side, interstate, so hopefully we've answered a couple of questions there. Now we've got to back it up."

Simpson heaped praise on Naitanui, who in addition to kicking the winning goal finished with 45 hit-outs and 16 possessions in his second game back since missing two months with a heel injury that required surgery.

"It just shows you how important he is for us," Simpson said of Naitanui.

The Eagles coach said Shuey stood up when it counted with two goals and 14 possessions in the final term.

WATCH: The thrilling last two minutes

Highlighting how important the win was beyond the four premiership points, television footage showed Simpson and his colleagues in the coach's box jubilant after Naitanui gathered the footy from a boundary throw-in and snapped the winning goal with his left foot.

"When you win a game with the last kick of the day, you've got a bit of a licence to carry on for a couple of seconds. It might have gone a little bit too long but we are really proud," Simpson said.

WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match press conference

While the result was West Coast's fourth away win in 2016, it was the first time last year's grand finalists had beaten a top eight side interstate, having come up short against the Swans, Geelong and Western Bulldogs earlier in the season.

That breakthrough also lifts the club to a 14-6 win-loss record and keeps alive its prospects of a top-four finish and double chance in the finals ahead of next Friday night's mouth-watering clash against Hawthorn in Perth.

The Hawks are top of the ladder and two games clear of West Coast at 16-4.

Asked if the win over GWS could ignite the club's season in the lead-up to the finals, Simpson said: "I think our season is already ignited. We've lost one game since the bye. We're as good a chance as anyone."

"It doesn't get any bigger than playing the Hawks. We've got to get ready pretty quick," Simpson said.