The numbers were stark.

Last year, when finals intensity demanded it, West Coast rose to the occasion and became an elite contested team.

It was a spike that helped the Eagles secure their sweetest premiership.

And being up for the fight is an area coach Adam Simpson acknowledges they must improve as they attempt to defy history this September.  

Going down to Richmond and Hawthorn cost the reigning premiers a top-four spot, and left them at long odds to go back-to-back.

In both defeats, the Eagles were belted around the contest, recording a -21 differential against the Tigers and -14 to the Hawks, and rank 17th across the season.  

While it's not the be-all and end-all, and Simpson looks beyond those pure numbers, there was a significant boost during last year's finals that is impossible to ignore. 

West Coast jumped from -11.1 in groundball gets (AFL No.18) – contested possessions excluding free-kicks – last home and away season to +7.5 in finals.

That stat is remarkably similar in 2019, with the Eagles at -11.7 – again ranked last in the competition – heading into Thursday night's elimination final bout with Essendon. 

"We didn't hone in on that (contest) last year. I think it was a by-product of just being tough in the contest, and we probably elevated our commitment around the ball," Simpson said.

"But we were definitely down (against Hawthorn). We look at stats a little bit differently than Champion Data, so we don't really go off those stats, but they do speak for themselves in some areas.

"When you look at the game and you see, visually, us getting beaten around the contest and then the next contest, that's a concern.

"So we've got to get better than we did on the weekend."

Crucially, the Eagles are set to regain their trump card, Nic Naitanui.  

The dynamic ruckman missed the flag after undergoing his second knee reconstruction and has the capability of transforming West Coast's midfield. 

"We're very optimistic we'll get Nic back and what he brings to our team is massive," teammate Jack Redden told AFL.com.au.

"Probably his stats don't reflect how dominant he is in the game. His pressure and his presence on the game is massive.

"He has that X-factor and can take those contested marks, put his stamp on the game and do those freakish things that most of us battlers can't do, so it's pretty special to have him in the side."

Nic Naitanui is a chance to return against the Bombers on Thursday night

While West Coast doesn't need to win the contest to record victory, it is a perfect seven from seven when it has in 2019.

It's also an area in which the Eagles have been beaten in all seven defeats.  

They almost broke even with Essendon (-2) in a 35-point triumph in round 14, which could have been a significant percentage-booster if not for inaccuracy.  

"Finals footy steps up another level. It's a contested game, the pressure is really high, and it's how well you can embrace the pressure, keep calm and cool," Redden said. 

"I think we've got the personnel and a good balance as a midfield group that we can step up in that area, and we complement each other pretty well, so we know we can do that.

"It's just a matter of doing it now." 

Eagles in the contest