Coach John Worsfold said he was delighted West Coast were finally able to record victory against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium - the first time since Round 11, 1998.
The Eagles ran out 18-point winners but Worsfold acknowledged there were a few tense moments with the visitors waiting until deep in the final term to seal the result.
Worsfold said the game could have been wrapped in earlier than the last quarter if not for some wayward kicking.
The Eagles doubled Port's attempts on goal at half-time, 19-10, but could only manage a 19-point lead after kicking 9.10 to the Power's 7.3.
Andrew Embley put the last nail in the coffin late in the match with his fourth while Luke Shuey was also influential in the end result with three second half goals.
"For this group specifically it's a very good win for them, but for the club overall to beat Port here has taken a bit of time," he said.
"We had to win the game in the last few minutes. We didn't have it wrapped up anywhere before that. We probably had opportunities to be further in front at different times in the game."
"We've got to get better at that because we can't give teams a chance to think they're still in the game if we have dominated for periods."
"We missed a few easy ones. It's another area for improvement."
Worsfold applauded Embley's man-of-the-match performance after the ball magnet finished with 32 possessions, two clearances and five inside 50s to go with his four goals.
Embley has rejoined the Eagles' leadership group this season and the West Coast boss said his contribution has been significant.
"He's had an outstanding start to the season for us," he said.
"He's had a solid pre-season and got himself ready to go. His leadership around the club this pre-season has been outstanding and I think he's taken that to a new level in terms of wanting to lead the way on the field for the players."
"He's always been a very good footballer on field for us but some of his leadership stuff now has been significant."
"The team sees him as one of the leaders and he's showing that."
Worsfold also commented on West Coast's forward pressure with the Eagles often pinning Port down inside their defensive 50, particularly in the first half.
He highlighted two efforts from big man Josh Kennedy chasing down Port speedster Travis Boak as indicative of his side's growing belief.
"I think Josh Kennedy set the standard there early for us with a couple of big chase downs," he said.
"That's an area that players know is critical to today's game. It's one of the things we've talked about as a group."
"There's a bit more belief in themselves that they're going out there to match it and win games. That belief within the group is a lot stronger."