WEST Coast's woeful goalkicking is causing coach Adam Simpson both physical and mental pain.
The Eagles had more scoring shots than their opponents for the third consecutive week and again it cost them the four points against Fremantle on Sunday afternoon.
After a poor start, West Coast had all the momentum in the second quarter but kicked 1.8 for the term and it left Simpson incensed in the coaches box.
"It's frustrating," Simpson said.
"I reckon I punched the desk a couple of times today and the players would be frustrated. The coaches are frustrated. Supporters and members would be frustrated as well when three weeks in a row we've given up starts to games.
"We're finding a way to get back into the game and we're not really capitalising."
Simpson was at a loss to explain his side's shocking inaccuracy in front of goal.
"I'm not quite sure," Simpson said.
"We haven't put any more pressure on the players to convert. We've merely said keep training it. Keep valuing your goalkicking when you train.
"Sometimes you just go out and have a few shots. But it's really important when you're doing it you're doing it with purpose.
"But we're talking about three or four dribble kicks at the top of the goalsquare sort of stuff. They're the chances you've got to take."
The Eagles also need to work out the structure of their talls. Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands had 38 hit-outs, 20 disposals and six marks in a dominant display against three West Coast big men.
The decision to play three ruckmen has been a contentious issue for Simpson and his match committee all season and the coach admitted it was an area that he'll look into further.
"I don't think it worked tonight (but) I've seen it work (previously)," Simpson said.
"It's still evolving. Scotty Lycett is a young player. He's played (13) games. We've still got to have patience with the players.
"In terms of the structure, we'll look at it. It could be different next week.
"But if it's continually not working, then we'll not do it."
West Coast faces Greater Western Sydney next Sunday at Patersons Stadium. Mark LeCras could return from his broken arm but Simpson said the club would take a cautious approach given the issues he has had with it in the past two seasons.
"He's probably more aware of his arm this year than he was last year, so he'll tell us when he's ready," Simpson said.
"It's probably a bit of a mental battle as well, because he did carry it all year last year and he wasn't quite right. We don't want to rush that."
