WEST Coast has bigger problems than its inability to win at the MCG, according to coach Adam Simpson, as it prepares for a blockbuster Western Derby against Fremantle in six days.
The Eagles lost their fifth game in six attempts at the MCG on Sunday, extending a run dating back to the 2015 Grand Final that has earned them a "flat-track bullies" tag from critics.
After losing every quarter against the previously winless Hawks and conceding seven goals in a poor final term, Simpson said the Eagles needed to get better at handling adversity regardless of the venue.
"Was it the MCG (that caused the defeat)? I've got no defence on that, but I'm not worried about the ground," Simpson said.
"I'm more worried about our resolve, our resilience (and) our intent.
"In terms of how we play the ground, I'm not making any excuses for us, I never have about playing here.
"I've always said it's about our resilience and our mindset, rather than we've got to play this ground differently or our game plan doesn't work here."
The Eagles travelled to the MCG in round three and were beaten by Richmond, while Collingwood and the Hawks had their measure at the ground in matches last season, with the only win coming against Carlton.
Sunday's loss to the Hawks was the Eagles' fifth consecutive defeat against Alastair Clarkson's men at the MCG dating back to round 14, 2008.
"We play two games here a year, this is our last game here, so we don't get to play here again unless we make finals," Simpson said.
"We can't go start training on the MCG next week in preparation. We've got bigger problems than playing at the MCG at the moment."
WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match media conference
Simpson's concerns were an inability to be consistent with the ball, not handling opposition pressure, and failing to stand up and convert when it counts.
The coach said his players, who lost the contested ball count 141-163, should not have been surprised by what they encountered, despite the Hawks' 0-4 start to the season.
"We got exactly what we thought we'd get with Hawthorn … there were no surprises there," he said.
"The Hawks were just relentless all day and we couldn't sustain it.
"Even when our intent was right we looked fumbly, from our senior players down to our kids.
"When we did get the ball we panicked a little bit and the pressure got to us."
Simpson said he went to the bench to coach in the second half to see close-up how the players responded to adversity and they were "not where we want to be in that area".
He flagged changes for what promises to be a fiery Western Derby against a Dockers team that has won three straight games to turn its season around.
Defender Eric Mackenzie and midfielders Lewis Jetta and Mark Hutchings were in contention to come into the team, the coach said, while Sam Mitchell (ankle) would be assessed after training early in the week.
Half-forward Jamie Cripps is in doubt after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday, while defender Brad Sheppard was able to play the match out with a knee complaint.
