The Eagles finished second last in the AFL in effective disposal efficiency in 2013, despite having been number one in hit-outs and fifth in clearances per game.
Rawlings says the Eagles have made skill work and ball movement a key focus throughout the pre-season so far to take advantage of the ruck and clearance success.
"We work really hard to win it so we want to make sure when the chance is there that we maintain possession and we use it as well as we can," Rawlings told AFL.com.au.
"That has probably been a little bit different in some regards to what some players are used to."
The new coaching staff, led by Simpson, has not hidden the fact that the Eagles need to improve in this area, with ball movement drills and match simulation on display at many open training sessions.
Rawlings said it was a slow process but one which the group was responding to well.
"A lot of the training drills you have to really strip it back and start from scratch in some areas in terms of ball movement, but the boys have been picking it up really well.
"We're coming into practice mode, so whether it flows through into the first few practice matches is another thing, but in terms of training and what we've been after they've had a good attitude towards it and we're starting to see some good signs."
Rawlings has been impressed with the work ethic shown by his midfield group and the leadership shown by senior players.
"I think they're all a really hard working group.
"That's impressed me from day one. Their attitude towards training is impressive.
"I think a couple of the young leaders of the group have impressed me and I want them to look at this midfield as their midfield and really take ownership of it.
"They do all the right things. Whatever you teach they try and implement straight away and their attitude towards that is really good.
"I think we've got some great role models in the midfield for our young guys.
"When you've got Matt Priddis and Scott Selwood who can help educate the players, it's really handy - Dean Cox as well."
Rawlings has been impressed with the development of Dom Sheed in his first pre-season.
The 2013 Larke medallist has already played senior WAFL football with Subiaco and Rawlings thinks the 18-year-old will be ready to step up to AFL level in his first year.
"Of the young guys Dom Sheed is a young kid that has come in and he hasn't waited around.
"He's just got in and shown what he can do. He gets inside and wins his own ball. He's been working really hard on the track.
"He's a young bloke who has impressed me in his short amount of time at the club, and as I mentioned before he's got some pretty good blokes to learn off in there as well.
"For him, pitting himself up against Priddis and Selwood and these sort of types at stoppages is great for his development.
"We'll see how he goes in the practice matches but at this stage he's shown signs of being able to play AFL footy quite early."
