3 minute read

West Coast coach Adam Simpson will consider axing some of his regular stars after the club stuttered to their third AFL loss on the trot.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson is adamant the shock loss to North Melbourne isn't the beginning of the end for the current player group, but warned there won't be any more free rides.

The Eagles' premiership hopes look shot after they suffered a 10-point defeat to the last-placed Kangaroos at Optus Stadium on Monday night.

West Coast's third loss on the trot has left them clinging to eighth spot with an 8-8 record.

But more importantly, it's raised questions about whether the club has now come to the end of an era which has produced six straight finals appearances and the 2018 premiership.

Senior stars such as Josh Kennedy, Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui, Jack Redden, and Brad Sheppard are all 30 or over, while Jeremy McGovern, Jack Darling, and Jamie Cripps turn 30 next year.

West Coast have boasted a near full-strength squad during their recent three-match losing run, which included a 92-point loss to Sydney, and a 55-point loss to the Bulldogs.

When asked whether it was the beginning of the end for the current era, Simpson replied: "I still think there's a bit more to give.

"Our best players probably aren't playing their best footy. Their talent hasn't gone. We're going to keep working on that.

"We're not going to give players free rides, and we need to give some opportunities to our youth.

"There's no magic wand or dust I can sprinkle. We've just got to work hard. Show the good stuff, and be honest with the bad stuff."

West Coast have made 15 changes to their side over the past three weeks, and Simpson is keen to settle the team down.

But he also knows there's an urgency to axe underperforming players, even if they are a senior member of the squad.

"We need to look at players who are down on form, and what we can do to help them get back into form, because they're too good to stay low for that long," Simpson said.

"On paper we look good. Performance wise we're not. That's our challenge, that's the players' challenge ... to try to get better.

"The WAFL Eagles have performed a lot better in the last few weeks.

"We'll look at that and give opportunities, just like we did in the Carlton game in Sydney (when) we got some real growth and spirit with the younger players playing."

Simpson concedes confidence is low within the squad, and said it was important for everyone to stick together.

The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday when they take on the Crows at Adelaide Oval.