West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he is but to crack the code to his workforce’s poor begins away from dwelling and he’ll trial a less-is-more method in opposition to Essendon.
The last-placed Eagles have turn into extra aggressive at dwelling in current weeks, culminating in final Sunday’s breakthrough five-point win over North Melbourne.
But their type exterior of Perth stays horrible, with West Coast dropping their previous 5 video games away from dwelling by a median of 112.2 factors.
They embrace a 116-point loss to Hawthorn, a 122-point defeat to Adelaide, and the low level of the season once they slumped to a 171-point loss to Sydney.
West Coast, recent from ending their club-record 16-match dropping run, could have the prospect to finish their away hoodoo once they tackle out-of-form Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The Bombers (9-10) have misplaced 5 of their previous six video games to crash to thirteenth on the ladder, which means a win over West Coast is non negotiable in the event that they need to stay within the finals hunt.
West Coast have been notably unhealthy in opening phrases away from dwelling this season, and Simpson remains to be looking for a treatment.
“I haven’t cracked that code yet. It’s been a while. Probably six or seven away games in a row have been pretty poor starts,” Simpson stated.
“Part of it is the younger group. But outside of that, we’ve tried a lot of things.
“The extra consideration you give it, the extra probably you over assume it.
“I thought against Carlton (when the Blues led 59-2 at quarter time), some of our senior players tried too hard. They gave away seven free kicks in the first quarter.
“So there’s this over stimulated dedication which generally brings free kicks.”
West Coast will be bolstered by the return of All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern (concussion) against Essendon, while last week’s sub Elliot Yeo has been promoted into the 22.
But Dom Sheed (foot hot spot) is unlikely to play again this year, while retiring defender Shannon Hurn has been rested to give his sore body time to recover.
Essendon, who lost to Sydney by two points last week, have handed 18-year-old midfielder Elijah Tsatas his AFL debut.
WEST COAST LOSSES AWAY FROM PERTH THIS SEASON
*Rd 1 – Lost to North Melbourne by 5 points
*Rd 5 – Lost to Geelong by 47 points
*Rd 6 – Lost to Port Adelaide by 40 points
*Rd 8 – Lost to Richmond by 46 points
*Rd 10 – Lost to Hawthorn by 116 points
*Rd 13 – Lost to Adelaide by 122 points
*Rd 15 – Lost to Sydney by 171 points
*Rd 17 – Lost to Brisbane by 81 points
*Rd 19 – Lost to Carlton by 71 factors
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
