Eagles not panicking after rough opening AFL loss

Coach Adam Simpson is adamant West Coast have not 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 shedding to final 12 months’s wood spooners would not change that.

“It is in regards to the journey,” Simpson mentioned.

“We thought we might have gained as we speak, completely – however we did not.

“So we now must mirror and assessment and get higher. However it’s spherical one.

“Profitable feels higher than shedding, little doubt about that. However no, I am 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 occasions seemed scattered when the Kangaroos surged ahead.

“1 / 4 like that, it is most likely occurred a little bit bit in latest occasions the place we do have 1 / 4 like that,” Simpson mentioned.

“However to have a little bit of resilience, the boys seemed match, they’ve labored actually exhausting on that, and to begin to see some gamers gel within the second half, we’ll take some positives from that.

“It’s in regards to the journey and 4 debutants, most likely 4 gamers who did not play final 12 months and simply getting that synergy, we all know it should take a little bit of time.”

“However we won’t settle for that second quarter.”

The Eagles fielded 4 debutants: the spectacular Reuben Ginbey, Noah Lengthy, 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 believed as the sport went on all these youngsters did one thing that was like ‘OK, there’s one thing there.’ Reuben had 12 tackles. There’s one thing there to work with,” Simpson mentioned.

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 confused the pair have been creating, whereas conceding Nic Naitanui was “extra unlikely than possible” to return in spherical two, together with his Achilles subject a week-to-week prospect.

“Nic’s a champion, he is a legacy participant for us. We might like to get (Elliot Yeo) again as properly,” he mentioned.

“However we have to see these youngsters come by and provides them alternative and discover that steadiness between these gamers taking part in and youthful guys stepping up and as we transition our checklist, it is all a part of it.”