West Coast skipper Emma Swanson is hoping the team can rediscover the ‘beauty’ of playing football when they take on Brisbane at Mineral Resources Park this Sunday following a thorough review of last round’s loss to Richmond.

It’s been no easy ride for the team following an extended period on the road in Melbourne, as well as playing three games in the period of eight days, but Swanson is confident the team will be able to dig deep and bring their brand of football against the reigning premiers.

“I think this weekend we’ve just got to get back to playing our brand of footy, and good football,” Swanson said.

“I think that for us it’s probably just taking a step back and doing the little things right, walking before we’re running, and just taking that step back and going back to the walking side of things.

“Hitting targets, embracing pressure, and using each other and making each other better.

“I think at times we’ve lost that throughout the year and putting the cart before the horse sometimes.

“Trying to do too much, or maybe taking things too literally and losing the beauty of just playing footy.

“But I can’t wait to play on the weekend after the review we’ve had this week, and I’m grateful every week I get to lead the girls out.”

The Eagles main focus will be on first quarters after being held goalless for six of seven matches from the season, including against the Tigers when Michael Prior’s side came into the first break 26 points down.

West Coast then booted seven goals to the Tigers’ six – including two from the skipper herself – but the damage had been done and the Eagles eventually fell to Richmond by 23 points.

Swanson said she takes full responsibility for the round seven loss and the team’s first stanzas across the season, and is hoping to lead by example in the remaining three matches of the year to inspire the team to play for four quarters.

“We spoke a little bit about it in review, I think the stats are we’ve kicked one goal five for the whole season in first quarters, that’s from seven games of footy,” Swanson said.

“It’s just not good enough in the elite competition we’re playing in.

“So, there’s no hiding or beating around the bush in that sense, we have to be better in our first quarters.

“I take full responsibility for a lot of things, I follow a bit of the WNBA and the basketball, and I was reading something about one of the girls over there.

“She was told when she was the leader of a side that no matter what happens it’s your fault, if the ball goes out of bounds, it’s your fault, I don’t care if you’re not on the court, it’s your fault.

“And I feel like it resonated a lot with me, I take on a lot of responsibility and I guess that’s part of the parcel of the role.

“So, I definitely think it’s much my responsibility as it is everyone else and I try in some sense to lead by example.

“I’m also sort of exploring my professionalism as well and I’m learning every single day.”