When the bitter disappointment of a sudden finals exit eventually subsides, Adam Simpson will reflect on the growth of West Coast’s playing group throughout a challenging season.

Speaking to Channel Seven on Monday night, the Eagles senior coach was still finding the side’s one-point elimination final defeat to Collingwood a “hard pill to swallow”.

“It’s hard just a couple of days after (to reflect). Your immediate thought is wasted opportunity, no doubt. I think everyone who doesn’t win a premiership would have that thought,” Simpson said.

“But once you sit back and reflect and look through what we went through this year (there are positives).

“Some of the players that we played, some of the first-gamers, some of the adversity we hit that we got through and some of our players consolidating their status as All Australian. Liam Ryan’s year, Brad Sheppard, Nic Naitanui getting back to full form.

“Getting some games into Oscar Allen, Jackson Nelson and Liam Duggan’s progression. All those things we see as a positive.

“In the clear light of day, yeah we’re really disappointed we didn’t go all the way, but I think we’ve had some growth as well.

“That’s probably what we take out of it. Some really good growth with some of our young players as well.”

Despite his obvious disappointment at bowing out in the first week of finals, Simpson was confident the squad remained in good shape for another tilt in 2021.

“I think we’ve got enough talent. The system is there. We’ve got plenty of spirit, there’s plenty of unity at the club,” he said.

“We’ve got to bring it all together, though. To win a premiership you’ve got to get everything right on and off the field.

“It didn’t click for us in the game on the weekend. We still thought we had plenty of opportunity. Missing top four hurts as well. You’ve got to be on for every minute of every game.

“Unfortunately we weren’t this year. We had too many periods where we were just a little bit off and it bit us on the backside coming into the last game.”