Senior coach Adam Simpson says West Coast will continue to evolve, tinker and hand more opportunities to youngsters as the Eagles keeping pushing hard for a finals berth.
Sunday’s team to take on Adelaide already has a youthful look with Connor West, son of former Eagles midfielder Robbie, named to debut while Harry Edwards is back into the line-up to replace full-back Tom Barrass (hamstring).
While West Coast couldn’t overcome North Melbourne on Monday night, there were signs of improvement, and the finals race is well and truly alive with the club currently sitting in seventh spot on the ladder.
“Last week we looked at the way we went about things. We’d been doing the same thing for a long period of time, so we need to evolve,” Simpson said.
“An opportunity presents itself in the next five or six weeks that we can explore some things. But if you do it every week then it gets confusing.
“We did a couple of things last week that were minor. We’ll continue to work on those things, not try and change and reinvent the wheel every week.
“Getting some youth into the side in the next four or five weeks, see what they’ve got, maybe back them in a bit more, give them more time, look at our method.
“But overall it’s our intent and workrate. You’ve got to start with that before you can execute anything else.”
West was in the mix to play before injuring his ankle a month ago and will bring energy to the engine room and forward line.
The 22-year-old is a mature-bodied product who has looked at home from the moment he arrived at Mineral Resources Park following the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
“He’s exactly what we’re looking for at the moment,” Simpson said.
“He puts good pressure on the ball, he’s tenacious, likes to tackle, deserves to play and he’s already a favourite around the club with his work ethic.
“Really pleased that he’s playing and he gets a debut for the club.”
The Eagles should also get a boost running out for star ruckman Nic Naitanui’s 200th game at Adelaide Oval, a significant landmark for one of the most popular figures in the game.
“Not many players get to 200 games after two knee reconstructions, so his resilience over the journey is something everyone has admired,” Simpson said.
“To go down in what was a really great year for the football club (in 2018), there’s a lot of empathy for that.
“The other part is football hasn’t defined him, he’s his own man. Obviously he’s a great player, but I don’t think we judge him off that – it’s who he is as a person.
“To get through that personality and be such a big presence in the AFL landscape but still be yourself, that’s something.
“I admire that.”
