THE BLOWTORCH is back on West Coast and skipper Shannon Hurn says the heat should be directed at the players and not coach Adam Simpson.

The Eagles' finals hopes are hanging in the balance after they surrendered a four-goal lead in a final-term capitulation against Collingwood on Sunday.

Amid the fallout, West Coast's desire, leadership and inability to close out matches are again being questioned in a season where the Eagles have been wildly inconsistent during games and from week-to-week.

Speaking on Monday, Hurn was adamant the playing group needed to take responsibility for their fluctuating form, and insisted the Eagles have faith in Simpson and his game plan.

"I believe so. I think the message and all the coaches, what they're putting out there and what they teach is clear what's expected, and how to go about it," Hurn said.

"Really it comes down to players taking responsibility for their own actions.

"That's senior blokes, myself, making sure you keep educating and putting in place things for people to get better and (meet) expectations.

"Are we doing that well enough? Well, debatable."

"(Simpson's) message has certainly been clear about it's not good enough what we've been doing (as a team)."

The Eagles are skating on thin ice with five games to play. They haven't won consecutive matches since round eight and have slipped to ninth spot on the ladder.

Disgruntled supporters are calling for more youth to be injected into the ageing line-up and Simpson has flagged changes ahead of Sunday's must-win clash against bottom team the Brisbane Lions.

"You still need senior players and people around the club. They still have to set the example," Hurn said.

"If that doesn't work, there will probably be more younger guys coming through."

Despite many pundits writing the Eagles off as a flag threat, Hurn can still see hope and believed his role as captain this week is to remind his teammates they are good enough to compete with the competition's best sides.  

"It's making sure blokes are still being positive with their football," Hurn said.
"it's easy to sit back and sulk and go ‘it's not working'.

"If we execute and play well enough I still believe we can get into the finals and then you just need to make sure you're in form.

"That's still in our control."