Senior coach Adam Simpson says there was a sense of relief for West Coast after being rewarded for improved form with the club's first win at home this season against Essendon on Friday night. 

For the first time since round four, the Eagles tasted victory by 10 points over the Bombers, ending a nine-game losing streak.

"It's been a long time between drinks, so really happy we got a win," Simpson said.

"We've been working pretty hard for a few weeks now to try and get a little bit of system and identity … and we've got some players back as well. Talent helps everything.

"I think we've grown a little bit in the last two or three weeks, and to get a win at home with a crowd of 41,000 tonight, that was really pleasing. They turned up and we put on a good show."

Simpson conceded accurate kicking had kept the team in the contest in the first half, booting 6.0 to 2.5 in the second quarter, but supply and delivery to the forwards had been improved.

He paid tribute to the club's senior players, who stood up in the forward line, particularly five-goal star Josh Kennedy, who iced the match late. 

"We're going through a transition phase and a rebuild, but we've got some good senior players who are coming back to some form and availability, so we still think there's a pretty good side there underneath what we need to do with the draft and playing the kids," the coach said.

"Getting that balance is important, but the senior players played well tonight."

The Eagles travel to face Richmond at the MCG next Sunday with the 109-point loss from round seven still on their minds.

Superstar ruckman Nic Naitanui is likely to travel if he gets through his WAFL return unscathed on limited minutes.

"We’ll build him the best way we can … I think he will be not too far off," Simpson said.