Worsfold lambasts Eagles' skills

WEST COAST coach John Worsfold has lambasted his side's skills and decision-making following Saturday's 76-point drubbing at the hands of Adelaide.

"(It was) poor decision-making and poor use of the ball," Worsfold said of his side's record defeat against the Crows.

"Even in that last five minutes we kicked it over Ash Hansen's head when he was in space two or three times, which is unacceptable at this level.

"The players have got to take more responsibility for the way they use the ball, there's no doubt about that."

In a blunt post-match assessment Worsfold also criticised individual players, including veteran David Wirrpanda, for their lack of defensive accountability on the Crows' running defenders like Andrew McLeod (31 possessions) and Graham Johncock (24).

"They ran the ball out too easily," Worsfold said. "We conceded space too easily and we had individual players who didn't work hard enough to make them more accountable.

"We were certainly disappointed early that they managed to get players in a lot of space, moreso inside our forward 50. Johncock was given a lot of space where he could sit back and zone off Wirrpanda and be inside 50 on his own.

"We were disappointed with that."

On a brighter note for the Eagles, the debuts of their 2007 draftees, 17-year-old South Australian Brad Ebert and 18-year-old Chris Masten, gave the club great hope for the future.

"It was a tough initiation in a game where you get beaten like that, but Brad showed the traits that we know he's got. To get that game into him was a bonus, and it's the start of what will hopefully be a very successful career for him.

"(Masten) was pretty exciting as well. He showed in glimpses how he's pretty hard at it and not going to back away from any contest."

West Coast now prepares for the Derby against Fremantle, with only Masten (rolled ankle) listed as an injury concern.