WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson isn't satisfied with the Eagles' start to the season, insisting they shouldn't be in the conversation as a genuine premiership contender.
Simpson did his best to talk down the Eagles after their gutsy 10-point win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Despite getting hammered 68-39 on the Inside 50 count and having 22 scoring shots to the Power's 27, superb play from the Eagles' defenders and strong work from the midfield allowed them to walk away with their fifth win from seven games to start the season.
Full match coverage and stats
The Power (4-3) are the second top-eight side the Eagles have defeated during that time, joining the improving St Kilda.
But Simpson is well aware plenty of improvement needs to be made if they're going to be considered a threat in September.
"We're 5-2, but there's a lot of work to be done," Simpson said.
"We're not elite at any stretch and we're not a consistent top-four side.
"We're still challenging for the top eight and I feel that we're still building.
"We've got an older list, a more mature list, but we've got to have an eye on developing some of these kids and get the consistency that we want, because at the moment we're not quite there yet.
Five talking points: Port Adelaide v West Coast
"But tonight was a really important step for us."
Four unanswered goals at the start of the third quarter gave the Eagles a handy buffer.
The Power made a surge in the final term, but the Eagles showed their character to hung on.
"It was good resilience," Simpson said.
"We've been lacking-on a few occasions when the game is right up for grabs, so to do that and to hold on like we did is what's expected from our members and supporters and coaches.
"The players expect that on themselves."
The Eagles' backline was outstanding.
WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match press conference
Tom Barrass (19 possessions and nine marks) grabbed everything in sight, Brad Sheppard shut Power star Robbie Gray out of the game and Sharrod Wellingham (23 possessions and seven marks) was busy across half-back.
"I'm really proud of (Sheppard) and Sharrod, they've been inconsistent this year and both of them played their best game of the year," Simpson said.
"Most of our defenders won most of their contests and turned a 40-60 into a 60-40.
"We don't want to have to rely on that every week.
"Our ball use out of the back half wasn't pretty either, but they got it done."
The Eagles face another tough test when they host the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on Friday night.
Simpson expected midfielder Liam Duggan – who was ruled out before the game with a quad injury – to resume training on Tuesday.
