It was their finest efficiency in additional than three months, however West Coast coach Adam Simpson says it was ‘an opportunity lost’ and warned that the ‘pain is not over’.
The Eagles responded to their 171-point loss to Sydney with an eight-point loss to St Kilda, the primary time in 13 video games that they haven’t misplaced by 40 factors or extra.
After main at each change, Simpson mentioned the gamers had been dissatisfied after shedding 12.13 (85) to 12.5 (77) at Optus Stadium on Sunday regardless of the much-improved effort.
“I think there was an opportunity lost. I don’t know what the score was in the end but we had a couple of chances late to be within a kick,” Simpson mentioned.
“We’re not high-fiving but I think everyone can appreciate a better result, a better effort than last week.
“We were really disappointed and understand the criticism, but the pain is not over. So we’ve just got to keep working hard.”
The Eagles had simply 23 gamers to choose from on Sunday after Luke Edwards and Tim Kelly had been late withdrawals due to accidents.
It left the membership with 20 gamers on their harm checklist heading into a troublesome conflict towards Brisbane on the Gabba on Saturday.
“There’s a six-day break to the biggest trip that we do,” Simpson mentioned.
“It does feel like we’ve had a win just being competitive which I hate to say it but I suppose it’s a step forward.
“We have got, I think, the best team in the country this week on their home deck. So we’ll see how we go.”
The Eagles are hopeful to regain vice-captain Jeremy McGovern who skilled strongly on Saturday, whereas Kelly and Edwards needs to be proper to return after sickness.
“He’s pretty keen to play… what’s it been? 14 weeks? I’m hoping he’s available, but let’s just see how we go,” Simpson mentioned.
“We need them, we need some experience. Without them it’s a challenge.
“We’ll get a few back. Tim was crook today, so was Luke Edwards. Tommy Cole is not far off, McGovern and these guys, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Simpson praised skipper Luke Shuey, who kick-started the Eagles’ cost with eight tackles within the first time period, saying he went “turbo”.
“The challenge for our leaders and our experienced players is with so many younger players, you can overdo it, you can try too hard,” Simpson mentioned.
“I know that some people won’t accept that, but I see it and they go away from what we’re trying to do as a team and it doesn’t work.
“You can see why they’re trying. Even last week, I know there’s some criticism, for obvious reasons and we were really disappointing, but they care. And you can see the way they played today.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
