• Grand Final preview: Hawthorn v West Coast
• What you need to know for the Grand Final
• How did the Hawks and Eagles build their lists? • Teams: Full line-ups for the Grand Final
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has drawn on his experience as a Hawthorn assistant – rather than his own playing career – to prepare his young Eagles for the physicality that looms in Saturday's Grand Final.
The 2014 Grand Final was "all about the contest", Simpson said, and he didn't expect this year's decider to be any different against a Hawthorn team that plays its best football on the edge.
Simpson declared his team – which only boasts three players with Grand Final experience – would "bunker down" on Friday night and "give it everything" on Saturday.
"Looking at the (Grand Final) last year, it was about the contest," Simpson said of the 2014 decider, which saw the Hawks dominate the Sydney Swans physically.
"It's easy to say, and I've been saying it all week, but we've got to deliver that because I know Hawthorn will. We've got to be on our toes.
"My experiences as a player were in the late 90s, but my experiences at Hawthorn are the ones I'm drawing on."
Simpson said the Eagles had embraced their home support – both in Perth and a large travelling contingent in Melbourne – and they had trained with purpose.
Like his coach, captain Shannon Hurn saw the contested part of the game, which West Coast narrowly won in their qualifying final against the Hawks, as crucial this Saturday.
"At the end of the day, whether its country footy or AFL footy, it's about the contest and making the most of your opportunities," Hurn said.
"It's about the attitude and mindset you want to bring to the game.
Eagles players soak up the atmosphere on the way to the MCG. Picture: AFL Media
"I think we've been able to do that pretty well this year, especially the past two to three months, and I can't see it being any different.
"It's just individually getting yourself ready for the game, playing team footy, and when it's your turn to go, you have a go."
There has been a strong focus on the Eagles' versatile and comparatively undersized backline this season, but Simpson believed the significance of that aspect of their game had been overplayed.
While their ability to play a team defence and rebound strongly would be important, he said the team could not bank on winning just by executing backward of centre.
"I don't think it's reinvented the wheel. I think it's been overplayed a fair bit," Simpson said.
"It relies on each other, but I see seven or eight clubs doing the same thing.
"Through circumstance we've had to play a bit shorter, but we just rely on the support of others so much.
"It forced us to do a few things that we've tried and they've come off to a certain degree."
It's a style of play Hurn said the Eagles could transfer to the MCG, where they have played just once this season and five times since 2013.
With an expected maximum of 28 degrees, Simpson said the heat would be irrelevant on Saturday.
"I don’t think it will affect anything. Both teams prepare in such a way that regardless of the conditions it won't make a difference," he said.
"I don't think we'd be here if we had to rely on that."
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