Building synergy as quickly as possible is high on West Coast's agenda as the Eagles attempt to rebound from their disappointing loss to Sydney, coach Adam Simpson says.
In the opening five rounds the Eagles have used 40 players due to a combination of injuries and AFL Health and Safety Protocols, but with the worst hopefully behind them the next step is to get continuity within the team.
West Coast brought back midfield stars Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly and Elliot Yeo amid six changes for the Swans clash, and while the engine room was outworked Simpson said the Eagles needed to get their first-choice players back and start settling the side.
“The synergy’s not there yet, to be honest, and we’re working on that piece and to do that they’ve got to play,” Simpson told Sportsday WA.
“Whether it’s (bringing them back) this week, next week, the week after they’ve still got to get that continuity together, and a new ruck division and the consistency of the brutality of the AFL is hard to get.
“Make absolutely no excuses for the performance, but those guys playing a game together … I was looking at a stat today I think Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey have played 14 games together in their careers.
“Trying to get them up and going is obviously a priority for us because they’re all very good players.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work for us on the weekend.”
The Eagles managed just 29 inside 50s against the Swans, and giving the forwards more opportunities to kick a winning score is a major focus heading into Saturday’s clash against Port Adelaide.
“Big concern there. That’s the biggest piece in terms of the way we want to play – we want to get supply,” Simpson said.
“Traditionally we’ve been a bit down in that area but been quite efficient going forward. At the moment, that’s not even the discussion.
“We need to get at least enough supply to get a score.”
West Coast will fly to Adelaide Oval with happy memories after winning all five previous contests against the Power at the venue.
Each of those victories has been a thriller decided by 10 points or fewer, and the Eagles (1-4 this season) will be desperate to secure another win over Port Adelaide (0-5) to stay in touch with the top eight.
“There’s still 17 games to go. You’ve got to go in with optimism,” Simpson said. “We’ve done that all year.
“We were poor on the weekend and that needs to be reviewed and worked through, but we still have opportunity to grow.
“We expect a bit more from our players and our senior players and that’s our challenge this week, and it will be there all year.”
The Eagles are hopeful star defender Jeremy McGovern (AFL Health and Safety Protocols) will be available to face Port, however prolific wingman Andrew Gaff (ankle) and emerging forward Oscar Allen (foot) are unlikely to put their hands up.
