WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson was left stunned by his team’s capitulation in the last quarter of its 29-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Eagles led by 26 points midway through the third term before conceding the last eight goals of the match.
They failed to score in the last quarter and had just three inside 50s while giving up 23 entries and six goals to the Crows at the other end.
Five talking points: West Coast v Adelaide
"That last quarter… I didn't see it coming," Simpson said.
"It's really disappointing.
"We've really got to look at it in detail to get to the bottom of it.
"But it looked like we just weren't up for the fight. We just rolled over, (and left) too much to too few."
The Eagles' first home loss of the season leaves them vulnerable in eighth spot on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season. They are two games and percentage outside the top four.
Simpson said the Eagles do not deserve to be any higher on the ladder at this stage of the season.
"I think tonight is a good indication of where we're at," Simpson said.
"We are exactly where we are meant to be right now based on our form.
"We think we're better than that, but until we play four quarters and everyone contributes for the whole game, it's going to be tough. I'm pretty clear about what we need to do."
Simpson confirmed the Eagles "need" to make changes at the selection table given the side's performance against the Crows, but he said he would not be resting any players given the abysmal form of the Lions.
WATCH Adam Simpson's full media conference here
"No, no, no, we need to turn up and win," Simpson said.
"There's no time for rest. If they're not right to play they won't play. We don't have the luxury of managing our players at the moment."
Nic Naitanui played against the Crows despite failing to train during the week after requiring crutches to protect his sore Achilles following the loss to the Western Bulldogs last week. Simpson said the star ruckman needed to be monitored but stated Naitanui would play if he was fit enough.
Eric Mackenzie is likely to be available next week after he was a late withdrawal due to a virus on Saturday.
The Eagles suffered an even later withdrawal. Sam Butler tweaked his groin in the final minute of the warm-up and just moments before the opening bounce, and was replaced by Xavier Ellis.
Simpson said the late withdrawals did not have any bearing on the result.
