WEST Coast is "not getting it done in big moments" late in games but wingman Andrew Gaff insists fitness is not to blame.
The Eagles' finals hopes are teetering on the brink after another fourth-quarter fadeout cost them victory against St Kilda on Sunday.
Fingers are being pointed at the midfield group after a disastrous effort at the coalface in the final term, with the Eagles beaten up in contested ball (-31) and clearances (-9) and still losing the tackle count (-12) against the more desperate Saints.
The Eagles coughed up a 14-point lead and have slipped to ninth on the ladder after another frustrating drop-off.
"When teams have momentum in those last quarters we're unable to stop that flow," Gaff said on Tuesday.
"It's a combination of a few things – it's not fitness, we think we're a pretty fit team – we're just not getting it done in big moments.
"It's obviously become a pattern and everyone's talking about it at the moment.
"We've got to figure out some things before the end of the year to get better – whether that's a strategy thing or a personnel thing.
"We're putting ourselves in good positions basically every week to win a game and we're just not getting it done at the moment.
"That's what footy is sometimes, you have your ups and downs, we're going through that phase but we'll be OK."
The absences of star ruckman Nic Naitanui and back-up Scott Lycett for all-but one game this year has hurt the Eagles around the clearances.
West Coast is struggling to get the ball forward and ranks equal 13th for inside 50s.
Star forward Josh Kennedy is getting frustrated by the lack of supply and Gaff admitted the midfield group does feel responsible.
"Of course. Every time we do get it forward to Josh and Jack (Darling) and Lecca (Mark LeCras) they're giving us a good contest and kicking goals," he said.
Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis was overlooked for the St Kilda clash but will be recalled for Saturday night's must-win contest against Carlton.
Priddis trained on Tuesday morning at Domain Stadium and was particularly demonstrative instructing young inside midfielders Luke Partington and Kurt Mutimer in a clean hands drill in slippery conditions.
Speedy wingman Lewis Jetta, who has missed the past two games with a calf strain, completed some light skills work before leaving the track early.
Jeremy McGovern wasn't sighted after playing up forward and pinch-hitting in the combative ruck battle against the Saints, while Naitanui was another notable absentee after he recently rejoined the main training group coming back from his knee reconstruction.
