It wasn’t always pretty but coach Adam Simpson was proud of West Coast’s youthful side after a workmanlike four-quarter performance secured four valuable premiership points against Hawthorn.

Heading to the MCG in search of a first interstate win this season, the Eagles effectively played a stalemate in a goalless opening term but soon clicked into gear with a match-defining seven-goal second stanza.

It set the tone as West Coast overcame the absence of some big names – against an admittedly understrength Hawks – to climb to 5-3 on the season following a 38-point triumph.

“It was important we had a good effort today and I said to our players – I know we get criticised for it a little bit – it’s not about winning away from home, it’s about playing consistent football that we think stands up in the long term,” Simpson said post-match.

“And I don’t think we’ve been doing that consistently enough – in particular away.

“So to play four quarters of the style we like, it starts with the contest like every club, but I felt like we played more of a complete four-quarter performance today than we have in previous interstate trips.”

With skipper Luke Shuey watching on from the coaches box as he helped midfield assistant Adrian Hickmott scrutinise stoppages, and without Elliot Yeo, Liam Duggan or Mark Hutchings, the West Coast midfield stood tall again when needed.

Andrew Gaff (38 disposals), Dom Sheed (35), Jack Redden (31, seven clearances) and Tim Kelly (25, one goal) were in commanding touch, with talismanic ruck Nic Naitanui (seven clearances) delivering fine service.

“We’re missing Yeo, Shuey and Hutchings and now Duggan is out for a while. Spreading the load is important, it’s not all about Tim. I thought collectively our mids in the last couple of weeks have really stood up,” Simpson said.

“I thought we had pretty good supply (early). I thought Hawthorn defended really well – their back six held up.

“But the message at quarter time (was) if we keep to continue to get that type of supply we thinkg we can eventually convert.

“As much as we were disappointed we didn’t hit the scoreboard like we would have liked, I think the game was – not on our terms – but we were comfortable where the game was.”

Brendon Ah Chee also stepped up and produced the best game of his career in his first appearance for the season, nailing a game-high four majors and picking up 17 touches.

“He’s been out for a while with hamstring and knee soreness, and to come in and to kick four, he played a role on ball for us. Really pleased with his role as well,” Simpson said.

The only slightly sour note was calf tightness experienced by champion forward Josh Kennedy, although he seemed relatively unconcerned speaking to Fox Footy post-match.

“I think he had it around quarter-time onwards, so I don’t think it’s significant but he probably thought there was a risk if he kept playing that he might make it worse, so we had to make the sub halfway through the last,” Simpson said.

The Eagles will monitor Kennedy this week and hope Jeremy McGovern (groin), Tom Barrass (shoulder), Shannon Hurn (calf) and Liam Ryan (shin) can prove their fitness for Sunday’s meeting with Adelaide at Optus Stadium.