West Coast was beaten but not bowed after a spirited effort on the road against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, coach Adam Simpson says.
In a contest where both teams were undermanned, the Eagles and Giants went toe-to-toe across four quarters before GWS broke clear in the dying stages to clinch a 16-point victory.
“It was a good battle. It felt almost like a final with the ebbs and flows,” Simpson said post-match.
“We had our opportunities. They had probably more and obviously that last quarter goal for goal and then they took their opportunities late. But overall I think the numbers would suggest that they were a better side.
“Proud of the fact that we played with plenty of spirit and energy and hung in there, but I think overall they probably played the better footy.”
It was an armwrestle throughout, with West Coast’s efficiency keeping them in the hunt against a Giants outfit which racked up 101 more disposals, won the tackle count by 33 and clearances by 10.
“Sometimes you’ll concede more tackles, more uncontested possession, but the style of play is the way you want it. We don’t want to have 30 less tackles,” Simpson said.
“Efficiency of tackles is what we rate and we’ve been poor at that. Their mids numbers looked healthy – probably healthier than ours – but I don’t want to blame our mids either.
“So I think we had opportunities the last quarter, didn’t take them.
“We’ve got to learn from it, got to grow, got to get better but we’re not going to completely dismiss this as a disaster. We think we can still take some positives from it.”
The Eagles missed an opportunity to stay in touch with the top four in Shannon Hurn’s record-breaking 291st appearance for the club, but are still four points inside the top eight, sitting in seventh spot with a 6-4 record.
After losing Alex Witherden to groin soreness pre-game, hearts were in mouths when fellow defender Brad Sheppard appeared to hurt his ankle.
The All Australian will be assessed upon return to Perth, while there could be positive news surrounding midfield bull Elliot Yeo after his encouraging WAFL return after more than nine months out battling osteitis pubis.
“There’s opportunities to play this week. We’ve just got to see how he pulls up. How he went through his minutes,” Simpson said.
“He’s a chance, so we’ve got to work through that.”
West Coast will host Essendon this Saturday night at Optus Stadium in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
