Not since 1996 have the Eagles lost three of their first four fixtures, making this John Worsfold's worst start to a season since taking over as coach in 2002.
Last year's start to the year was arguably even more bleak, with former captain Ben Cousins suspended on the eve of the season to allow him to seek treatment for drug addiction.
And with that black day the first of many in the next 12 months, questions have been raised as to whether the remaining players' off-field commitments are beginning to take their toll.
Ahead of the visit of fellow strugglers Port Adelaide to Subiaco on Sunday, assistant coach Darren Harris said form, not fatigue from a stream of interviews, lectures and educational seminars, was behind the poor start.
"Since I have been here there have been a lot of issues over the time - hopefully I have not been responsible for them - and I would say we have always been able to stay focused on playing football," Harris said.
"At the moment our form is down a little bit. I don't think we can be judged on four games, we would like to be judged at the end of the season."
With out-of-form forward Ashley Hansen missing with a hamstring injury, Chad Jones on Friday edged out Josh Kennedy in the battle for his spot in a gun-shy forward line.
But speculation Quinten Lynch and Michael Braun, also disappointing in the first month, could miss out appeared unfounded with both named in the final line-up.
"Quinten has worked through a lot of his hardships over the past couple of years to be an outstanding player for us in successful teams," Harris said.
"He will fight back ... and we expect him to really stand up for us.
"And Michael Braun has been an outstanding player for the footy club.
"We will back Michael in because of the player he has been, an outstanding one-on-one player.
"He is one of probably 15 players that is trying to find form."
Two other key Eagles hampered by injury in the early part of the season have been captain Darren Glass and Dean Cox – who both play their 150th games this weekend.
With club life membership coming with the milestone, Harris said a video compilation of their achievements had been shown to provide extra motivation if it is needed.
"That is a big plus for us - because the players want to perform their absolute best for those two players that have given enormous service," Harris said.
"They are just outstanding stories. Dean Cox turns up as rookie-listed player who struggled to run a lap of the ground, and now he is the premier ruckman in the competition who no-one can stay with aerobically.
"And Darren Glass has fought his way to be the premier defender in the competition. So our player group want to ... put their best foot forward for those two blokes."
