SOME young West Coast ruck prospects took advantage of Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox's absence against the Sydney Swans on Thursday night to put in performances that impressed new coach Adam Simpson.
In his first year at the helm, Simpson concedes he is learning all the time about his side, and the rookie-listed Callum Sinclair and project player Scott Lycett both stood out in a 35-point win over the Swans in Blacktown.
On a wet, dreary night in western Sydney, the pair combined for 41 hit-outs, with Sinclair adding 19 touches and two goals and Lycett 17 disposals, six tackles and two score assists.
"It wasn't really a night for the talls and they battled really well down the line and in the middle and when it really mattered," Simpsons said afterwards.
"To not have Nic and Coxy in the team, they filled the void pretty well.
"Their ability to play forward is what's impressing me.
"I know they can both ruck, but they're having some impact when they're going forward and that's what you're looking for in the modern game."
The Eagles made a fast start, but it was the Swans that managed to take single-figure leads into the first two breaks.
From that point on it was all West Coast, however, with the Eagles kicking six goals to nil in the third term alone.
Yet the first half was the most rewarding for their new coach.
"Our intent and work-rate in the first half was really pleasing," he said.
"I was actually really pleased in the first and second quarters how the game was travelling.
"It was a nice, contested, evenly-matched game and that's what we were looking for at this time of year.
"To break it open in the third quarter was pleasing, but it was the first half that I was impressed with."
Naitanui is expected to return to the side for West Coast's final practice match against Fremantle next week, when Simpson plans to pick his strongest possible line-up.
But a number of Eagles did their chances no harm on their long road trip this week.
"I came into the club with a really open mind and I still have and still didn't know what to expect tonight," Simpson said.
"The team did change a fair bit (from last week's 84-point win over the Dockers). What they are doing is complying to what we're trying to teach.
"So whether it's a senior player or a guy fighting for a spot, they seem to be doing similar things."
