Stand-in coach Matthew Knights was pleased with West Coast’s application against a red-hot Brisbane Lions side, who showed the undermanned Eagles clear areas to improve in Saturday’s 75-point loss at the Gabba.
In slippery conditions, the Eagles hung tough until the final quarter, when the home team kicked away with a seven-goal to one term.
There were small wins for West Coast, which was in the game around clearances (-1) and contested ball (-2) but badly beaten on the spread, with Brisbane dominating inside 50s (68-33).
“They really got on top as the game went on. The last 30 minutes of the game we were hanging on,” Knights said post-match.
“But they really started to get their legs running and covering the ground, and it became a bit tough in the end, but I think the boys hung tough, they hung in there.
“I think you could clearly see the group was up for the contest tonight and up for the pressure.
“We’ve got to keep establishing that and get more polished on the outside.”
Battling an injury crisis and players missing through the AFL Health and Safety Protocols, the Eagles handed a debut to COVID Contingency List player Jake Florenca, while Declan Mountford was the medical sub.
Florenca gathered 19 touches on debut and was strong in the clinches, gathering the second-most contested possessions on the night (13).
“I was proud of his effort, Jake. I met Jake for the first time a couple of days ago, and was lucky enough to watch some vision with him with our recruiters and then proud moment to give him his first game,” Knights said.
“To will himself in the contest against (Lachie) Neale, (Hugh) McCluggage, (Dayne) Zorko, (Jarryd) Lyons, two big ruckmen they’ve got going in (Darcy) Fort and (Oscar) McInerney, so I take my hat off too him, I was proud of him.
“I thought (Callum) Jamieson probably affirmed what we wanted to see out of a young ruckman that came in and did some nice things around the ground.”
While he enjoyed the role, Knights hopes to hand back the coaching reins to Adam Simpson this week ahead of another massive challenge against reigning premier Melbourne.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was quite a unique situation but I felt the relationship with the playing group was good,” Knights said.
“I got amazing support from all the coaches and support staff.
“It was a pleasure. I’m very proud to be able to coach the Eagles tonight and chop out for ‘Simmo’.
“He’ll be back on deck sooner rather than later.”
