West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has conceded the Eagles have to find ways to get easier shots at goal after they struggled for forward connection in their 53-point defeat to Carlton on Saturday.
The Eagles took only four marks inside 50 from 49 entries as All-Australian spearhead Jake Waterman (three behinds) and second-year talented tall Jobe Shanahan (one goal) struggled.
First-year Blue Harry Dean stood tall in the absence of No.1 key backman Jacob Weitering, playing an instrumental role at full-back in their 17.15 (117) to 9.10 (64) victory at Marvel Stadium.
McQualter said the Eagles’ lack of forward efficiency was a result of their connection issues and Carlton’s “proactive” defence which got the better of them.
“I think third quarter we eventually got one (a mark inside 50), but it was a battle, and we only had four for the day. So certainly not the way you want to set the game up and to attack,” he said.
“Couple of things. Little bit connected to our ball use, little bit connected to Carlton’s really proactive defence — they defended well, their backs defended well, their team defended well, so it challenged us. But we’ve got to be able to find ways to get easier and better shots at goal.
“Sometimes when they’re flying with their opponents, it’s multiple people in a marking contest, and you’d rather more fly than none. I thought we did have some looks at marking the ball inside 50 in the first half, they just didn’t stick today as much as we’d like, but we’ll keep working with these guys.”
West Coast now face a tight six-day turnaround before they host last year’s minor premiers in Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
They will be hopeful experienced midfielder Tim Kelly will be available after he missed the defeat to the Blues with a minor hamstring strain, while first-year ruckman Cooper Duff-Tytler finished the game on the bench with a calf injury.
“We were trying and hopeful he might be able to continue but he just had some tightness or awareness,” McQualter said.
“As with all our players, particularly our young ones, we’re not going to take risk.
“We’re not sure (how bad it is) yet. We’ll go away and have a look at it.”