West Coast chief Liam Duggan concedes his staff was dominated in each side of their record-smashing western derby drubbing.
A candid Duggan additionally conceded shedding to Fremantle carried additional weight for the embattled membership attempting to provide their followers one thing to cheer about.
The 101-point mauling on Saturday evening was the Eagles’ biggest-ever defeat to their cross-town rivals and marked the fallen energy’s fifth triple-figure loss this 12 months.
“Really disappointing. I thought the first 15 minutes it looked like we were right on the money and up for the fight and then the Dockers ramped up their pressure and held that for the rest of the day and we just weren’t able to match it,” Duggan stated.
“We were beaten in most facets of the game today and I suppose when you do get on top like that you start running a few more patterns and getting a bit more creative as well, which is sometimes hard to defend.
“Once their noses were up it was quite hard to stop them.
“That’s probably one of the more disappointing things. We have given our fans something to cheer about the last few weeks, but to be beaten like that in a derby. That hurts a bit.
“It was a little step backwards in the progress that we’ve been making, so that’s disappointing.”
Duggan additionally revealed his personal transfer to the midfield was to fill the void left by Elliot Yeo, who has slotted into the again six since returning to the facet.
“I am (enjoying it). I don’t mind where I play,” he stated.
“It’s a tough gig in the midfield, they get the accolades when we’re going well, they get the blame when we’re going badly, so you’ve got to wear both of those.
“Obviously Elliot Yeo is one of our best midfielders and has been for a long time, but coming back off his injuries and keeping his body right has probably factored in a little bit into why I’ve been going in there.”
The Eagles captaincy candidate had 25 disposals and 4 clearances to take a seat amongst his staff’s best gamers on a troublesome evening.
But it’s the blocking and defensive work he’s obtained his thoughts set on in midfield — and it’s a transfer that might stick, with present skipper Luke Shuey retiring.
“It allows some of our real ball-hunters to just get after it and I sort of bring that little bit of a defensive flavour,” he stated.
“We’ll speak about that over the next couple of weeks as we sort of exit the season. It’s something I’m open to, so happy to do that.
“We’re obviously losing some greats of the club — one in the midfield and one in the backline — so there are a couple of spaces there opening up. We’ll see where it sits over the next couple of weeks.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
