Coach Adam Simpson is adamant West Coast haven’t been rocked by their opening spherical loss to North Melbourne regardless of a dire second quarter that set alarm bells ringing.
The Kangaroos booted six unanswered objectives throughout the primary and second quarters to grab management of Saturday’s conflict at Marvel Stadium and withstood a late Eagles surge to prevail 12.15 (87) to 12.10 (82).
West Coast had been optimistic about their new period heading into the season and Simpson was adamant dropping to final yr’s picket spooners wouldn’t change that.
“It’s about the journey,” Simpson stated.
“We thought we could have won today, absolutely – but we didn’t.
“So we now need to reflect and review and get better. But it’s round one.
“Winning feels better than losing, no doubt about that. But no, I’m not rocked by it.”
The Eagles left themselves with loads of work to do after a dire second time period, throughout which they lacked impetus across the contest, moved the ball slowly and at instances regarded scattered when the Kangaroos surged ahead.
“A quarter like that, it’s probably happened a little bit in recent times where we do have a quarter like that,” Simpson stated.
“But to have a bit of resilience, the boys looked fit, they’ve worked really hard on that, and to start to see some players gel in the second half, we’ll take some positives from that.
“It is about the journey and four debutants, probably four players who didn’t play last year and just getting that synergy, we know it’s going to take a bit of time.”
“But we can’t accept that second quarter.”
The Eagles fielded 4 debutants: the spectacular Reuben Ginbey, Noah Long, Campbell Chesser and ex-Demon Jayden Hunt, whereas Oscar Allen, Dom Sheed and Tom Cole returned after their 2022 seasons have been worn out.
“I thought as the game went on all those kids did something that was like ‘OK, there’s something there.’ Reuben had 12 tackles. There’s something there to work with,” Simpson stated.
West Coast rucks Bailey Williams and Callum Jamieson have been unable to grab management regardless of North’s Tristan Xerri being substituted within the first quarter.
Simpson pressured the pair have been growing, whereas conceding Nic Naitanui was “more unlikely than likely” to return in spherical two, together with his Achilles situation a week-to-week prospect.
“Nic’s a champion, he’s a legacy player for us. We’d love to get (Elliot Yeo) back as well,” he stated.
“But we need to see these kids come through and give them opportunity and find that balance between those players playing and younger guys stepping up and as we transition our list, it’s all part of it.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
