West Coast knows there is a “heap of work to do” to climb back up the ladder after the club’s two-win season came to a close with an 85-point defeat against Geelong, coach Adam Simpson says.

The Eagles’ tough season of availability challenges fizzled out in a big loss to the Cats in round 23.

"We played the best team in the competition. We came with a plan to be as competitive as we could be, and I thought at stages we were, but we got overwhelmed with their talent, their fitness, their system," he said.

"Strangely enough, we'll take some positives out of where we're heading.

“We had some horrendous turnovers with the ball, so every time we tried to open the game up we turned the ball over. It was difficult to get out of our back half, in the second half, in particular.

"We'll lick our wounds; it's been a tough year. We've been playing better footy since the bye and today we just got overwhelmed.”

The Eagles were far more competitive after the mid-season bye but couldn’t find reward for effort with wins, only beating Essendon on the run home.

The silver lining of using 47 players, including 16 debutants, was the opportunity afforded to youth who now know what is required at the top level.

“We're on our path; we don't know how long it will take to get to success," Simpson said.

"Today wasn't a step forward, but we know where we're at, so there's no major surprises today; we know Geelong are a very good side.

"We know we've got a heap of work to do. We need a really good summer, get our key personnel back, reflect on what's been a really difficult year, take some positives out of it and hit the pre-season as hard as we can."

Simpson highlighted the growth from forward-turned-defender Jamaine Jones, emerging tall back Rhett Bazzo and Jai Culley as positives this season, while ill Brady Hough missed the Cats game but has a bright future.

“(Jones) has been playing half-back in the back half of the year and he’s pretty raw, but once again there was growth opportunities,” Simpson said.

“He’s been pleasing this year. I don’t think we would’ve thought he’d play down back at the start of the year but he’s held down that spot.

“Bazzo again today played his fifth or sixth game. Jai Culley played his fourth game for the club against A-grade midfielders.

“Those type of players can only learn from these type of experiences. Harry Edwards I thought was pretty good for what was going on down there.

“Those guys will look back on this season and see it as one of real good opportunity.”