West Coast nice Ben Cousins has urged his former membership to remain the course with its rising midfielders, regardless of each its groups enduring large losses.
The Eagles trailed by as many as 77 factors in the course of the third time period earlier than recovering to lose by 47 towards reigning premiers Geelong on the ultimate day of Gather Round.
It was a midfield led largely by children Reuben Ginbey and Jai Culley — each of their first full seasons on the membership — and shock contested ball-winner Jamaine Jones, till Ginbey was subbed off.
That’s within the absence of captain Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and now doubtlessly Elliot Yeo, who seems to have suffered a setback to his calf simply two video games after returning.
It got here because the membership’s depleted WAFL workforce additionally copped a 169-point thumping by the hands of West Perth.
But Cousins has referred to as on Simpson to stay with the youngsters within the face of heavy losses, saying it can proceed to fast-track their improvement.
“The guys in there have been doing an OK job, they’re sort of learning on the job which is not always easy but they’ll get better every week and it’s valuable experience,” he instructed Channel 7’s The Game.
“That’s a big part of this year, they are a club in transition and there’s more valuable experience and time out on the ground in these positions that hopefully they’re able to hold down for years to come.”
Cousins lauded Ginbey for his efforts, the tackling machine kicking his maiden objective on the membership having already established himself as an vital a part of their midfield rotation as a defensive-minded runner.
The 18-year-old was within the wars early, copping a poke within the eye from Patrick Dangerfield, and was finally subbed out after arising lame from a sort out. However Adam Simpson stated he had simply been managed for the ultimate time period.
“I did happen to catch one game he played at school level last year. It’s hard to believe less than 12 months ago he was playing school footy,” Cousins stated.
“To be thrown straight into the midfield and to be playing on some of the players — Tom Green, Serong and Oliver and Petracca into this week with Dangerfield and the likes — it’s a huge testament to the opinion they have of him as a youngster and he’s got a huge career ahead of him.”
The Brownlow Medallist and premiership star additionally praised ahead Jake Waterman within the wake of his second four-goal haul for the season.
Waterman mixed for 10 objectives with twin towers Oscar Allen and Jack Darling.
“They kicked the first two, which I thought was really promising but after that the first half belonged to Geelong,” Cousins stated.
“Waterman has been a revelation this year, it’s his second standout game for the year, against GWS he was enormous and again today.
“Combined with Oscar Allen who kicked four and set a couple up.
“When those guys are kicking multiple goals, it gives West Coast the chance to kick a score each week.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au