Star midfielder Tim Kelly was excited by some promising signs from West Coast youngsters in Sunday’s fighting loss to Brisbane on Sunday.

Following a challenging week for the club after Adam Simpson’s departure, the Eagles dug in against last year’s beaten grand finalists and took a step forward.

The likes of Zane Trew, Harry Edwards, Luke Edwards, Reuben Ginbey, Ryan Maric and mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson all played their part as the Eagles pushed the Lions to deep into time-on in the final term.

“You hate to say honourable losses, we’re obviously really disappointed, but we took some steps forward against a team that is in pretty good form and just played in a Grand Final last year,” Kelly said.

“There’s certainly some positives to take out of it, especially with some young boys coming in and showing what they’ve got.

“Obviously a lot of emotion from us boys going into it as well just with the week we had and the loss we were coming off.

“Disappointing we couldn’t get it done, but we’ll take some positives.”

Kelly was among the standouts against Brisbane, getting better as the match wore on to finish with team-highs for disposals (29) and metres gained (508), plus a goal.

The silky onballer and reigning John Worsfold medallist has battled knee soreness since early in the season but had been pushing through until a hip flexor issue forced him out after the round 11 loss to Adelaide.

“Certainly has been a little bit difficult,” Kelly said.

“Since about round three or four this year I’ve been battling with a little bit of cartilage damage in my knee, a fair bit of bone stress.

“Ultimately, I was fronting up every week and playing but from a preparation point-of-view it wasn’t really ideal not doing a hell of a lot during the week and rolling into a game.

“I’ve had some good games and from my own expectations I’ve been a little bit below my best and from a consistency point-of-view.

“It was important for me to have about four or five weeks off, really let my knee settle and initially I had a hip flexor which made me stop playing.

“I feel like I’m starting to get on top of those things and starting to go into games feeling really good.”