ADAM Simpson is noticing some "concerning" trends in his side's past two games, with the Eagles coach questioning the toughness of his side after being demolished by Geelong by 58 points at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Eagles were smashed in contested ball (156-123) and for the second-straight week they were comprehensively beaten in the inside 50 count (39-62).
Simpson said his side would need to get back to basics to arrest a two-game slide.
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"We've got to have a good go at our contest and there is method to it but maybe sticking our head over the ball is what we need to do," a frustrated Simpson said.
"For whatever reason we're just not as clean as what we've been in the past and that's something we can train and if you're just half a step off or you fumble slightly then we're made to pay.
"All other aspects of our game get questioned. Inside 50s the last two weeks I don't think we've had over 40 so trying to get any type of play in our front half has been difficult.
"There's a lot of work to do, I'm not going to sugar coat anything. We just didn't look tough enough in most areas."
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West Coast has now lost its last two games by an average margin of 50 points, as it fell to level-pegging at 3-3 after six rounds.
"It's concerning. It's a great leveler, footy. As I said to the players then – it doesn't take much to be off and you get a clip," Simpson said.
"They're really disappointed with the last few weeks so it's over to us to do something about it."
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Simpson identified just three serviceable players among his group – Tom Hickey, Jeremy McGovern and Shannon Hurn – as 10 Eagles players failed to register double digits in disposals.
The Eagles coach was content with how the ruck set-up functioned, with Nathan Vardy dropped ahead of a meeting with his old side.
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Hickey was a bright spot for West Coast, gathering 25 disposals, racking up 32 hit-outs and amassing 12 clearances, with Oscar Allen providing support every now and then.
"We tried something a little bit different with our ruck structure, so that was developing so that's pleasing for us," Simpson said.
"While Vardy and Hickey have been rucking okay they haven't really been giving us much of an advantage. Having said that we probably missed Vardy forward this week with the way Geelong play with their talls.
"Unfortunately, Oscar (Allen) didn't quite get it done with our front half contest either, but he wasn't alone. A lot of our young forwards, in particular, were a little bit off in that area but there wasn't a lot of supply."
Midfielder Jack Redden (foot) is a chance to be ready for next Saturday's game against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, while young forward Jake Waterman has also been in good form in the WAFL and will be considered at the selection table.
Willie Rioli (foot) is still a couple of weeks away from a return, according to Simpson.
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