The West Coast Eagles began the final week of the pre-Christmas training phase with an energetic and skilful hit-out at McGillivray Oval this morning.

With the players heading towards their festive season break, they were relishing their work, moved the ball well in competitive drills and generally looked sharp.

There might have also been an appreciation of a cooler day and a lack of wind, which allowed the squad to move the ball precisely without needing to contend with the usual pesky easterly breeze or the even sterner test provided by the Fremantle Doctor.

Away from the main group, ruckman Nic Naitanui strode our purposefully in running drills, while Matt Rosa and Ash Smith, who oscalated between the main group and those in rehabilitation, also ran at pace and intensity.

Senior coach Adam Simpson has been pleased with the start to his career in charge at West Coast and will also take the break to reflect on the first six week block before ramping it up post-Christmas.