WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson is backing Tom Barrass and Josh Kennedy after the premiership bookends' form came under the microscope heading into finals.
Some shaky moments from Barrass, who is battling a finger complaint, directly cost goals in losses to Richmond and Hawthorn which saw the Eagles slip outside the top four.
"Unfortunately, when you play on the last line (of defence) you save the day six or seven times, which he does every week, and then you miss a couple of predictable moments and the spotlight comes on," Simpson said.
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"We think that's a little bit unfair when you look at the game in isolation, and what we look at and we value.
"Yeah, he can play a little bit better but we think he's doing a reasonable enough job to compete in the air and he can keep working on areas he needs to improve."
The Eagles' backline has been shaky in the past three weeks, conceding at least 80 points for three straight matches for the first time all season.
Experienced campaigner Will Schofield could come back into the mix for the elimination final against Essendon to help steady the ship.
Barrass starred in last year's Grand Final, and skipper Shannon Hurn had no doubt he would bounce back.
"Something we've worked on throughout the last three years (is) just about staying in the moment, what's gone is gone," Hurn said.
"It's just keep backing yourself, because pretty much every player – and Tom is one of them - makes more right decisions than wrong decisions."
Kennedy has booted 44 goals from 20 games, and Simpson declared his leadership of a youthful attack shouldn't be underrated.
However, the Eagles will hope from a lift from their spearhead at the business end of the campaign.
Over the past month, Kennedy has averaged just over six disposals, fewer than three marks and kicked five majors.
"He's playing on the best defender every week. He's 32. That's not to say that's an excuse, but we've been really proud of our forward line this year and he's been a big part of that," Simpson said.
"He had four shots on goal on the weekend. You get that every week you take it.
"He's probably not going to win the Coleman (Medal) every year, there's a shelf life to that, but what he does off the ball for our young players (is important).
"He's been carrying that load for a long time and he's assisted (Jack) Darling to having probably the best season of his career."
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West Coast should be buoyed by star ruckman Nic Naitanui's return to face the Bombers, if he gets through Friday's main session and trains next week.
"He's been running around pretty well. He's still got his pace and his athletic ability, so he's been going pretty well," said Hurn, while downplaying concerns over his hamstring "awareness" against Hawthorn.
"With Nic's ruck and dominant ability you can get a bit more aggressive in the midfield."
The Eagles expect Nic Nat to return for the first final if he can get through training. Picture: AFL Photos
The skipper, who is in the mix for back-to-back All Australian blazers, was quick to remind the Eagles their season was still alive, despite the flat feeling after their round 23 loss forced them into a cutthroat final.
"It doesn't really matter where you finish," Hurn said.
"Of course, you want to finish as high as possible.
"But you're here in the finals and anything can happen."
