West Coast coach Adam Simpson was careful not get carried away with his team's first RAC Derby win since 2021 and one of the great upset wins in the history of the crosstown rivalry. 

Asked if he had expected the elements of a new game style to click like they had in just the sixth game of the season, the coach said his team was nowhere near the finished product and had enjoyed a strong performance against a team that was off its best.

"We've had a good couple of weeks," Simpson said post-match.

"We're not the finished product at all. We had a good day today and we played a really good side we highly respect and they had an off day as well. So we're pretty steady on this one.

"I'll have a quiet one tonight, but I won't be doing a lap of honour this week." 

Simpson said young star Harley Reid, who finished a narrow runner-up to Glendinning-Allan Medal winner Elliot Yeo, was exceeding his club's expectations of him through a thrilling start to the season. 

Awarded with a Rising Star nomination against Richmond last week, the 19-year-old produced an even better performance against the Dockers, kicking three goals, winning seven clearances and taking a brilliant pack mark. 

"We love what Harley's doing and our internal expectations are not what he's producing - they (his performances) are a lot higher," Simpson said.

"They're probably just meeting expectations publicly, so I'm really cautious to not overplay it … it's hard to sustain that coming into the AFL. 

"But while he keeps doing it, I think we should all enjoy it. Let's not get too worried if he has an off day. 

"He's playing with that spirit and freedom that I think we all appreciate and enjoy. Today he did a little bit differently, he kicked three and really energised the crowd and the players but we're not expecting that every week.

"I'm sure Harley will be the first to say it's not about him."