The season so far
Has been a bumpy ride with periods of decent football overshadowed by some bitterly disappointing efforts interstate, particularly in Melbourne. Fierce criticism followed MCG losses to Richmond and Hawthorn, before a three-game winning streak against Fremantle, Port Adelaide on the road and the Bulldogs lifted West Coast only percentage off top spot after round eight. But a three-game losing skid heading into the bye – lowlighted by a humiliating belting from Essendon at Etihad Stadium – has laid bare the Eagles' midfield frailties without Nic Naitanui, overreliance on spearhead Josh Kennedy to kick bags of goals and inability to consistently muster anything near their best away from Domain Stadium.
Quarters won: 21
Players used: 31
Yet to play: Nic Naitanui, Tom Lamb, Daniel Venables, Luke Partington, Tom Cole, Scott Lycett, Josh Rotham, Matthew Allen, Willie Rioli, Jake Waterman, Simon Tunbridge, Tom Gorter, Jordan Snadden, Tarir Bayok, Paddy Brophy (retired), Francis Watson.
Stats leaders
Disposals: Andrew Gaff (340)
Marks: Elliot Yeo (95)
Goals: Josh Kennedy (34)
Tackles: Matt Priddis (76)
Metres gained: Elliot Yeo (avg. 487m)
Tackles in defensive 50: Sam Mitchell (8)
Best win
Round 7, 10-point win over Port Adelaide
With their interstate form under the microscope, the efficient Eagles conceded a mountain of inside 50s (68-39) but held on for a gutsy win at happy hunting ground Adelaide Oval.
One that got away
Round 10, eight-point loss to Greater Western Sydney
You could easily argue last round's three-point defeat to struggling Gold Coast, however the Giants were undermanned and West Coast surrendered a 15-point lead midway through the third term on their home deck.
Best and fairest leader: Elliot Yeo
Surprise packet: Elliot Yeo
Who's struggling: Jack Darling, Mark LeCras, Chris Masten, Jack Redden, Sharrod Wellingham
Missing in action
Scott Lycett. The Eagles were prepared for most, if not all, of 2017 without Nic Naitanui, but losing their No.2 ruckman on the eve of the season to shoulder surgery – in his first game since an off-season PCL reconstruction – was a major blow. Lycett could be back against Geelong in round 13 or the following week against Melbourne.
The concern
The midfield. The fear was that West Coast's back-up ruckmen would be dominated, but the problems are almost all at ground level. The engine room looks more than capable on paper, but has often been smashed in contested ball and clearances. The Eagles are conceding field position too easily and a lack of leg-speed has been badly exposed.
Pass mark
After three losses in a row before the bye and a tricky run home, the Eagles could be in a scrap just to feature in September. That's a long way from pre-season expectations of a flag tilt but, from here, playing finals is the pass mark, although anything less than a home elimination final spells trouble.
The coach
Adam Simpson is searching for answers. The Eagles' midfield woes have put a resilient backline under immense pressure and starved the forward line of supply. West Coast regularly blew rivals off the park over the previous two years but has topped 100 points only three times this season. The Eagles' brand of football is hard to clearly define and Simpson has come under fire for shuffling the same faces in and out of the side after poor performances.
How the best 22 has changed
Scott Lycett is finally nearing a comeback from shoulder surgery, and it's a toss-up between Nathan Vardy and Drew Petrie for the forward-ruck role. Tom Barrass has been dropped but has played eight AFL games and at his best is in the side. There are several underperforming players selected in this 22 who won't feel completely safe.
B: Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Brad Sheppard
HB: Jackson Nelson, Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo
C: Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis, Lewis Jetta
HF: Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Dom Sheed
F: Drew Petrie, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Scott Lycett, Sam Mitchell, Luke Shuey
I/C: Liam Duggan, Sam Butler, Josh Hill, Sharrod Wellingham
In from pre-season best 22: Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan, Scott Lycett
Out from pre-season best 22: Eric Mackenzie, Chris Masten, Nathan Vardy
• Who did we tip for your club's best 22 in round one?
Eagles fans: what's your mid-season verdict?
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Want more?
• State of Origin: Who'd play, who'd miss out?
