The WAFL Eagles suffered a disappointing 88-point loss to South Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Coach Kyal Horsley said the team has reflected on the performance in depth and will be looking for a strong response in round three.

“It was a really tough game and not the result we wanted,” Horsley said.

“South Freo, to their credit, prepped really well and played with an aggression early that we couldn’t handle, and once they got on top, we couldn’t stop their momentum which was really disappointing.

“The good thing is, we are a really young team with 14 players 22 years old or under, and for them to get exposed to a team that is really hot and running with all the momentum and trying to work ways around it will do them well.

“The review on Monday was really player driven which is exciting and hopefully we see a response from the group because I know they’re hurting about the performance.”

Top Three

1. Shannon Lucassen

“Milky’ worked so hard all day. He kicked two goals, but it was more his pressure and effort throughout the game.”

2. Trey Ruscoe

“Another really good game, we had to throw him around to plug some holes, and wherever we put him he performed really well.”

3. Zane Trew

“Zane Trew’s best game for the year, he was a standout in the midfield.”

AFL Listed Players

Dom Sheed

“Really good to have ‘Sheeda’ back, he was on managed minutes but every moment he was out there he was having an impact. He worked really hard defensively and did some nice things offensively too. Really pleased with his return and look forward to seeing him build.”

Alex Witherden

“Really good game from ‘Witho’, he used the ball well, led really well and was a standout in defence and set the ground up for us. If more people played like him we would have had a better result.”

Harvey Johnston

“An impressive first game of League footy, he had some big highlights, and he can really build from this. His team defence and work for others is well above his years.”

Andrew Gaff

“Solid game from ‘Gaffy’. He was really helping the young guys and trying to get them through what was a challenging day. Didn’t have as much of an impact offensively as he has in previous weeks, but his work defensively was first rate and you could see him working really hard for the team.”

Jai Culley

“Great to have Jai back, 11 months out (with injury) and he kicked the first goal for us which is really nice. He’ll build, no one works harder so I’m sure over the coming weeks he will continue to take steps forward. I’m excited to see his next game, I’m really proud of how hard he’s worked and it’s great to have him back.”

Clay Hall

“He will learn a lot from the game. South’s mids really hunted us and I thought as the game went on he got better and better, but he will learn a lot from the intensity that South came at us with.”

Harry Barnett

“Not Harry’s best day, he was challenged in the ruck and was working through some things. He’s 20 years old and trying to lead the ruck for us which is a big challenge against older and more experienced ruckman. But knowing his character, I’m expecting a big response.”

Jordyn Baker

“It was a tough day for the defenders, especially with some of the supply South were getting and how quickly they were moving the ball. He will learn a lot from that, you have to make really quick decisions when the ball is moving that fast, which it does at AFL level. He did give us some drive offensively when he got the ball in his hands.”

Tyrell Dewar

“Had some really nice moments, he kicked two goals and was connecting the ground well for us. He’s making big progress and hopefully he can sustain the level he’s training at, it’s reflecting in his games.”

Coen Livingstone

“It was an impressive second game of League footy for him in a really challenging game against experienced rucks, and then when he was forward, he faced an experienced backline. I think he won four clearances, and competed really hard inside and is taking some nice steps forward.”

Harry Edwards

“It was a tough line that Harry was playing with the ball coming in so quickly. He had some good moments and some poor moments. He will miss a week (with suspension) which is really disappointing for us as a team, and for him individually, but knowing ‘H’, he will want to make up for it.”