West Coast left the MCG disappointed not to take the four points but coach Adam Simpson could see signs of improvement in key areas the Eagles are working on from his side’s 25-point loss to Hawthorn.
After a fast start saw the Eagles lead by 11 points at quarter-time, the Hawks hit back hard in the second term, booting seven goals to three to set up their victory .
Small forward Luke Breust (six goals) was a handful and the difference between the sides, with the Eagles lacking the necessary polish to get the job done.
“Probably wasn’t the prettiest game to watch. Conditions were pretty difficult but I thought we came with the right intent,” Simpson said post-match.
“Couple of fundamentals (cost us) in the first quarter, but we started well. We haven’t won many first quarters this year. The second quarter was disappointing, the contests around the ground in general play.
“They worked a bit harder, read the cues earlier than us, the Hawks and they jumped away a little bit but we dug in there.
“Some of the numbers and wins we’re looking for … tackles, we had a good day – 80 to 48 tackles – but sometimes that means you’re second to the ball.
“Pressure factor was high but we couldn’t match them in the workrate, contest area for periods of the game – only little periods but they made us pay.
“The last 10 minutes we tried a couple of things that didn’t work.
“Overall, disappointed, but it looked a bit more consistent today with some of the areas we’re looking at.”
The Eagles (2-15) have been hampered by poor player availability in 2022, and Mid-Season Rookie Draftee Jai Culley was incredibly the 16th first-gamer for the club this season – and 47th player used.
The Dandenong product held his own in slippery conditions, finishing with a game-high 11 tackles, seven clearances and 12 disposals in a promising start to his career.
“it looks like he’s up for the fight, which is great,” Simpson said.
“You’d take that for a first game. He’s one of many we’ve explored this year and we’ll keep exploring.
“It was a good opportunity to play a game at the MCG and he’ll remember that forever.”
Key defender Tom Barrass was the standout for the Eagles, racking up a career-high 30 disposals and taking 18 marks in a monster performance opposed to dangerman Mitch Lewis, who went goalless.
“We half toyed with putting him forward there for a little while, he was going so well,” Simpson said.
“He did a great job for us. He’s one of our leaders. He’s heart and soul, he loves the club and he wants us to get better, so he’s doing everything he can.”
The Eagles lost developing ruck Callum Jamieson (adductor) in the final term and he will be sent for scans, while gun midfielder Tim Kelly’s hot start was slowed by a corked thigh.
He will be monitored ahead of Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at home, with Simpson not expecting big guns Nic Naitanui (knee soreness) or Elliot Yeo (hamstring) back for that clash.
