West Coast coach Adam Simpson concedes his team faces a challenge gathering itself off a six-day break and rebounding from the emotion-charged farewell to club great Josh Kennedy in time to compete in next Saturday's RAC Derby.
The Eagles threw everything at Adelaide on Sunday but came up 16 points short at Optus Stadium as Kennedy bagged eight goals in a remarkable, drama-filled farewell to the game.
The loss leaves the Eagles equal on points with last-placed North Melbourne and with difficult clashes to come against the Dockers next Saturday night before a final round trip to GMHBA Stadium against ladder leader Geelong.
Simpson said avoiding the wooden spoon was not a focus now for the Eagles, who were intent on finding improvement in their final two games.
"It's going to be a challenge and I've spoken about that to the leaders already," Simpson said on Sunday night.
"We can't get anywhere on the ladder other than going down, but trying to establish a brand that we can take into next year, take into pre-season, get some confidence out of some of the success we have, that's our goals.
"So, all due respect to JK, we'll have a couple of quiet ones in the rooms and then we're onto next week. Then we've got Geelong in Geelong, and that'll put some hairs on your chest as well.
"Tonight we'll enjoy Josh's last game and appreciate what he's done for us, then we'll get on with it tomorrow."
Simpson said Sunday's performance was "probably the most satisfying game we’ve had being a loss" and the players had found something extra for Kennedy's farewell, producing their best pressure game of the season.
"With the emotion before the game and during the game, I thought they gave everything to get over the line, and we just couldn’t get it done in the end," the coach said.
"The intent and effort, you can’t question it. We weren't good enough today, beaten by a better side. But with the way the boys went about it, we wouldn’t have lost any fans tonight.
"I was just so happy for him (Kennedy) and what the boys were trying to do. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the four points, but we tried our hardest."
