West Coast didn’t get the four points but coach Adam Simpson saw more promising signs on a day when star ruck Nic Naitanui reminded everyone of his importance with a herculean effort against Richmond at the MCG.

With outstanding support from midfielders Tim Kelly (40 disposals, two goals) and Luke Shuey (26, 11 clearances), Naitanui helped threaten an upset against the in-form Tigers, before the more accurate home side kicked away to a 35-point victory.

“I thought the game was up for grabs halfway through the third. It must have been 11, 12 points the difference getting towards the end of that third quarter,” Simpson said post-match.

“I thought the guys were better. Better with our method around the contest, we’re getting supply this week – probably the highest for the year.

“Didn’t kick straight, that always hurts. Obviously Richmond deserved to win, but we had moments in the game where we were on top.”

Naitanui had been missing since suffering a medial ligament injury in the round four win over Collingwood, and wasted no time showing what the Eagles had been sorely missing.

The talismanic Eagle finished with 19 disposals, 26 hit-outs, six clearances and kicked a team-lifting left-footed snap goal in the second term.

“Nic’s a pretty good player. It probably just shows you how important he is for us. He’s our Max Gawn,” Simpson said.

“He helped today, for sure, but I thought some other areas of our game we’re working really hard on are getting better slowly as well.

“Defence-wise, still way too high the scores against from turnovers, but that’s what Richmond do. They make you pay from some bad turnovers that we had, and some good play as well.”

There was also exciting signs from debutant Zane Trew, who was a key player in the third term resurgence and ended with 13 touches and his first career goal.

But on the downside was another injury setback for dual club champion Elliot Yeo, who suffered a hamstring strain in the third quarter and was subbed out of the match.

“Looks like he’s done a hamstring,” Simpson said.

“He just can’t get a run at it ‘Yeoy’. He’s been pretty good for us for three or four weeks. Built him up the right way and he got in an awkward position, he got pushed in the back going full tilt, which one of those classic ones you know straight away.

“Been a tough couple of years for him, really.”