West Coast coach Adam Simpson has described his workforce’s 50-point loss to Essendon because the minimal expectation following final week’s 116-point smashing from Hawthorn.
With Bombers coach Brad Scott leaping to Simpson’s defence after per week within the highlight, Essendon gained 14.12 (96) to six.10 (46) in entrance of 39,269 followers.
Essendon kicked six targets to 2 within the second half to run away with the win, however West Coast performed with a lot stronger intent and relished the possibility to have Elliot Yeo, Tom Barrass and Shannon Hurn within the workforce.
Simpson mentioned it was a small step ahead.
“It was probably the minimum we wanted tonight,” Simpson mentioned.
“We obviously didn’t win and the scoreboard blew out. We won the inside 50s, we were brave with the footy to the point where we got hurt on the turnover but it was more of the identity we are trying to chase without being anywhere near satisfied. Our senior players stood up and played as well as they could.
“It’s been a heavy week for the club so I thought the intent was there but we weren’t good enough.
“We haven’t been anywhere near good enough for the last month in particular. Today was minimum and we still lost by 50-odd points. So we’re not high-fiving in the changerooms, but we need to stay resilient.”
It was evident from the beginning of the sport that West Coast had been going to play in another way.
Barrass began at full-forward. Josh Rotham was a ahead too. Yeo was again within the centre after getting back from harm. Reuben Ginbey performed in defence and had Hurn to look to for expertise.
Things seemed grim when Essendon kicked the opening purpose after only one minute. And when Archie Perkins kicked the Bombers’ third purpose after 13 minutes, the guests led 19-1. But this time the Eagles refused to get blown away.
Scott threw assist behind Simpson amid the Eagles’ horror season, saying he had an unattainable job because of the membership’s accidents.
“West Coast are a really proud club. They’ve been a great club over a long period of time. I get the pressure they’re under. Don’t worry about Adam Simpson – Norm Smith, Kevin Sheedy, Mick Malthouse and Leigh Matthews couldn’t have coached with those injuries,” Scott mentioned.
“They’re a good club. I was just really surprised. I shouldn’t be surprised because I’ve been around long enough to know. But everyone accepts the injuries but they won’t say ‘oh yeah, it’s fair enough.’ The scrutiny has been over the top in my view.
“You’re talking about a premiership coach and a guy that’s taken a team to a grand final previously. I just find it a bit unsavoury.”
Yeo had 24 disposals, 5 clearances and 4 tackles whereas taking part in within the midfield and defence. Hurn collected 27 possessions. Barrass switched to the backline after the early onslaught whereas captain Oscar Allen booted 4 targets.
Simpson mentioned the membership had averted any extra accidents however had been unlikely to see any extra skilled gamers returning for the subsequent recreation in opposition to Collingwood.
But he mentioned it was clear what including expertise had achieved for the workforce and was stuffed with reward for Yeo.
“It was good to have him back,” Simpson mentioned.
“We gave him an extra week to get back so we didn’t have to manage him as much as we probably would in the past. He looked like he covered the ground a little bit better than the last few times we’ve brought him back. he got through so that’s a positive.
“He’ll only get better. It just shows if you get players like that back, you’re going to look a bit different. I don’t think we get anyone else back next week but we get maybe Shuey, McGovern and perhaps Darling the week after, maybe. Hopefully some of those guys will help us.
“The game is built for people like Yeo at the moment and Shuey. I know they’re getting to the back end of their careers but there’s still some footy left there if we can get them right.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
