SEASON 2014 will not be a complete failure for West Coast if it misses out on the finals, according to star ruckman Nic Naitanui.
The Eagles need to beat Gold Coast on Sunday at Metricon Stadium and hope a concoction of results go their way to pinch the final spot in the eight.
If Hawthorn defeats Collingwood, and Sydney defeats Richmond, barring a huge percentage-boosting win for Adelaide over St Kilda, the Eagles could ghost into eighth spot without defeating a single team in the top eight during the home-and-away season.
Naitanui said despite the lofty expectations the club and the team had for Adam Simpson's first-year in charge, there are still plenty of positives to take out of the season should the Eagles fail to make September.
"We had pretty high expectations leading into the year but I wouldn't say it's a complete failure," Naitanui told afl.com.au.
"We obviously want to play finals but whether we get there or not I guess is partially in our own hands."
The 2012 All Australian said it's been a steep learning curve for the Eagles' young group under Simpson, particularly following the mid-season retirement of Darren Glass and the heavy injury toll, with senior players like Beau Waters, Matt Rosa and Scott Selwood missing large portions of the year.
"For the guys it's just getting used to his new game plan," Naitanui said.
"It's a different style to Woosh (John Worsfold), and just learning from the way he teaches.
"But we've learned a lot of new things and what he's brought across from Hawthorn in terms of finals experience, he was obviously a big part of the success at the Hawks and at North Melbourne as well.
"To see a lot of the young guys playing games and evolving has been pretty good. I think we have a pretty young list when big Coxy (Dean Cox) is not out there so to have a lot of young guys out there getting some footy experience has been really good for us."
Naitanui said the roller-coaster ride of the last few weeks has been extraordinary. Following the heartbreaking loss to Essendon in round 21 the Eagles have found themselves actively supporting other teams to keep the dream of finals alive.
"It's been a bit weird in a sense," Naitanui said.
"I think we were cheering on Richmond that night. They were playing and we needed them to win. Even the North Melbourne-Adelaide game on the weekend just gone we found ourselves cheering for North.
"As much as you try and block it and worry about your own results there are a couple of other things that have to go our way.
"This week we've been pretty lucky. Simmo has been stressing that we are really, really lucky to have a second chance and still be alive so we can only control what's put in front of us, which is winning up on the Gold Coast."
