West Coast coach Adam Simpson expects a response from the Eagles when they return home to Optus Stadium to face Essendon on Saturday night.
Coming off a bitterly disappointing triple-figure defeat to Hawthorn, West Coast has been buoyed by the return of premiership trio Elliot Yeo, Shannon Hurn and Tom Barrass, plus youngster Luke Edwards.
Simpson hoped for a far more competitive display, urging his side to bring the pressure that was a hallmark of the team’s performances during a bright start to the year before a cluster of injuries struck.
“It’s hard to judge because every game I go into really positive thinking ‘we’re up for this’,” Simpson said.
“We really hope we get a response this week. Just with effort. We didn’t run last week either, we folded back a lot, so we want to bring a bit more pressure to this game.
“When we’re at our best, despite the (lack of) wins, the best quarters we’ve played this year we’ve brought pressure.
“So that’s got to be our goal.”
Simpson conceded confidence was low amongst the playing group but adding Yeo, Hurn and Barrass to a young backline group would help shore up the team and add on-field leadership.
“We saw last week some of the vulnerabilities we had with the poor defence up field, it left us really open down back so they’ll be good to come back,” Simpson said.
“Confidence, it’s low, no doubt after last week so we’ve got to stay resilient, we really do.
“We need to find a way to compete better. I know I’ve said this a number of times and I’ll say this again, we are on a journey and there’s no quick fix, but we need to be better than last week.
“Regardless of how young the side is or the talent that is not available we want more than what we delivered last week, obviously.”
West Coast has lost rebounding half-back Jamaine Jones to a nasty ankle injury that will potentially sideline him for most of the rest of the season, and key defender Harry Edwards to a groin issue.
In positive news, the WAFL Eagles will be boosted by slightly better availability.
Tall forward Jack Williams set for his first game this year following a ruptured spleen, alongside fellow youngsters Coby Burgiel (hamstring), Elijah Hewett (ankle) and Campbell Chesser (omitted).
Star spearhead Oscar Allen will take the captaincy reins ahead of skipper Luke Shuey’s impending return in two weeks against Adelaide, following an impressive performance by Liam Duggan in the role across the past two games.
“It’s just good learning. The way he (Duggan) performed and led during the weeks that he was captain was really important for him and his growth and his presence around the players,” Simpson said.
“I suspect it will be the same with Oscar having an opportunity to do what captains do for a couple of weeks.
“Then hopefully we’ll get Luke back probably the Adelaide game (in round 13) I reckon.”
