WEST Coast's second loss for the season was in part down to its inexperienced forward line, with Jack Darling's first match out with a fractured ankle exposing a raw set-up.
Josh Kennedy played a lone hand up forward in West Coast's 15-point loss to Sydney, with young teammates Liam Ryan (12 disposals, one goal), Willie Rioli (seven touches) and debutant Jarrod Brander (five) struggling to have an impact.
Coach Adam Simpson was philosophical after the match, pleased with his team's four-quarter effort and supportive of his young charges.
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"A lot of our kids are in the front half, and when you've got a cluster like that, sometimes it's not going to work out, especially against really good sides," Simpson said.
"We respect Sydney and the way they play, they've played the same tough brand for a number of years, and we're striving to do the same.
"As much as we're disappointed with the loss – and round one (the Eagles' only other loss, also to Sydney), I thought we still played with a good spirit – the boys didn't look like they gave up at all. We'll give Sydney the credit, but I think we're still on the right track."
With only a 15-point final margin, the Eagles had plenty of opportunities to win the game but scored seven goals and 15 behinds.
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"There was a bit of a breeze today, but some of the shots we missed were simple ones. Our whole front half ball movement was a bit rushed," Simpson said.
"I thought our team defence was sharp, in the first half we had 20 turnovers in our front half, for anyone who follows that stat, that's really good. We had 30 for the game.
"So, getting supply was a positive, and we didn't do it with any extra numbers, it was just our mids and our backs. So those things looked okay for us, it was just the inability to convert started to mount up a bit with our confidence as well."
WATCH Adam Simpson's full post-match media conference
Important midfielder Luke Shuey (14 disposals) returned for his first game since round seven after spending time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Aside from an accidental head knock when attempting to spoil Swan Josh Kennedy, he appeared to get through unscathed.
"It was probably not the same dominance from him, and Luke's missed five or six weeks, so he had limited game time," Simpson said.
"I think he lowered his colours, but he still managed seven clearances and played his part. I though the midfield battle was pretty even and maybe slightly in our favour, but that's not looking at any vision."
