The West Coast Eagles didn’t bag the four points on the weekend, falling to Sydney in Mt Barker, but vice-captain Tom Barrass said the performance showed some real growth amongst the group.

“We’re looking at it as a great step forward,” Barrass said.

“I think for the first time, we saw some real positive changes in the brand identity of footy we’re trying to play.

“We managed to sustain it for a number of quarters against a good side, I’m happy to see some good growth with some of our young players and some of our senior players too.”

The Eagles held a five-point lead over the Swans at half time and Barrass said the team had real belief that they could give Sydney a run for their money.  

“It was a great feeling, and it was a testament to how hard we’d worked with the group,” Barrass said.

“You can’t manufacture that feeling, it needs to be earned and we managed to be in the game after three quarters.

“Not hanging our hat on it, we want to win, but it’s growth, and that’s where we’re at as a footy club and we’re seeing positive growth and that’s what I’m happy about.”

After suffering a season-ending back injury against Richmond in round 18 last year, Barrass said he’s learnt how to manage his mobility going forward.   

“Yeah good, I’ve managed to rely on good resources and good learnings about what can get me mobile, how I can manage it at home and at footy,” Barrass said.

“I’m grateful to be able to go out there and play.”

This Sunday the Eagles face Richmond at Optus Stadium, and Barrass said the team will go into the game with confidence.

“Absolutely, we’re looking to win, we’re looking to get wins every single week,” Barrass said,

“We’re looking to build brand identity of West Coast Eagles footy every single week, so that doesn’t change.

“Hopefully we can capitalise on what Richmond’s weaknesses are, and bring our strengths to the play again like we did this weekend just gone.”

Praising his teammate Elliot Yeo’s return to football, Barrass said it’s been pleasing to see Yeo getting back to his best.

“He’s very close, he’s looking like a beast inside that stoppage and he’s found his strengths as a player again, which is that contested beast,” Barrass said.

“I don’t think we’ll see him in the backline again like his All-Australian years, but when he’s up and going he is as impactful as a player as there is in the comp.

“We’re loving what he’s doing, we really value him in our team, and we’re hoping he can keep dragging us on for the next part of the year.”

Sunday’s game will be recognised as a celebration of the clubs first game against Richmond in 1989, with majority of the inaugural team returning to take part in the occasion.

“We’ve got a celebration for some of our past players, celebrating the first game of the club in 1989 against Richmond,” Barrass said.

“I think we’ve got about 80 percent of that playing squad coming back to celebrate and it’s great to have that crew around the club again to provide a bit of inspiration.

“We’re hoping the fans can come out with us as well and support us and get around, and it will hopefully be our first win of the year.”