WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson won't lose much sleep over his side's 57-point loss to Adelaide on Sunday, insisting the club remained well placed to cause September havoc.
The Eagles just couldn't match the Crows' pressure, particularly early on, when the home side piled on eight unanswered goals in the opening term.
Simpson's men fought back in the second, but were dismantled again in the third quarter.
He said Sunday's defeat served as a timely reminder to his playing group ahead of a clash with St Kilda next week that could secure a top-two finish.
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"We've been up for a long time, we've been for the most part pretty consistent with our effort [but]… if you don't turn up for the contest you'll get whacked," Simpson said.
"[The] season's still very much alive for us, this was a bad game, we're disappointed, we'll review it and give them a clip – but we're going for top-two next week.
"It's a really good reminder, this competition has a way of giving you a clip when you take your eye off the ball.
"The old adage it's never as good or as bad as it seems – I think we'll take that approach."
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The Eagles were dealt yet another an injury scare in the second term when key defender Jeremy McGovern, in his return from a hamstring injury, was hit heavily by Crows skipper Taylor Walker.
Simpson said McGovern had a sore AC joint in his shoulder, but if the game held more significance he might have continued playing.
The coach was hopeful McGovern would take his place against the Saints next week.
"That was a precaution – he got a bit of a whack in his AC and we think he's going to be OK," he said.
"He was complaining that he could have kept playing but we did take the precaution on that one.
"He's missed [four of the last six] games, so he was never going to be able to play a full game anyway."
West Coast is also hopeful Chris Masten, Sam Butler and Will Schofield will all be available to return to the side next weekend.
