If you ask senior coach Michael Prior which of the two games this season best represents how West Coast wants to play, you’ll find the resounding answer will be round one. 

Looking back at the Gold Coast game the word out of the West Coast camp is “we just didn’t play like us” and Prior is confident his side won’t repeat that mistake this Sunday against Essendon.

“Our ball movement didn’t resemble anything like it did in round one and we got beaten around the stoppages,” Prior said.

“The ball lived in Gold Coast’s front half and we couldn’t get it out.

“If we can turn around our clearances and get it into our half we’ve got the talent up there to score, we just didn’t give our forwards enough opportunity out there on the weekend.”

Prior is aware of the star power Essendon have been able to amass from their recruiting, including former league Best and Fairest Madison Prespakis

"I think they have done really well with their recruiting,” Prior said.

“Maddy is a fantastic player, we will have a plan in place for her.

“She’s a key midfielder for them and a key driver within their team so we need to make sure we are accountable on her and win those clearance battles which she is a major part of.”

Despite this, the senior coach wants to let his key players free to play the game that suits them, including Aishling McCarthy who played a monumental role shutting down league star Erin Phillips in round one.

“Aish is someone we’ve gone to in the past for that role but we’ve got a number of options, I think some people thought Aish tagged on the weekend but she didn’t she just played her natural game,” Prior said

“She’s showing a thirst for that role but we’ve got to pick and choose when the best time is to use her. It could be this weekend or we may just see how the game unfolds.”

This will be a pivotal match for the Eagles as the competition heads into Indigenous Round celebrating the journey of indigenous people past, present and emerging.

“I think this round is fantastic, we always honour our Indigenous players really well at this footy club,” Prior said.

“Rounds like this are for the younger generation coming through, we really encourage young Indigenous girls and boys to pick up and footy and try Australian Rules.

“I think Imahra and Krstel in our team lead that really well and educate us as a club really well.

“The week has only just started for Imahra but she’s got a big job ahead of her this week and the team can’t wait to get out there and honour our Indigenous girls.”