WEST COAST'S game-plan is still capable of producing a surprise finals appearance, vice-captain Beau Waters insists. 

The Eagles are two wins shy of eighth spot on the ladder following their seven-point loss to Essendon last Thursday, having led the Bombers by as much as 23 points late in the third term.

Waters said the players know the task that is confronting them.

 

"I think Blind Freddy knows where we're at," Waters said. "We're acutely aware of what we have to do.

 

"The mid-season review revealed a lot of things we had to work on as a playing group and equally as a coaching staff, and the intensity and the quality of our training has increased over the past fortnight.

"But we need to remain consistent and I truly believe that our game-plan and the way we play is conducive to winning at least seven games in the last nine."

Waters believes Saturday night's clash with Adelaide, who sits 11th with the same number of wins as the Eagles, is an "eight-point game".

 

Despite coach John Worsfold's insistence that 'eight-point' games don't exist, Waters did not shy away from the importance of the clash at AAMI Stadium.

 

"They're on equal points so it's really important for us," Waters said. 

 

"There's nine games left. Mathematically we need to win six or seven at least.

 

"If we can win nine then we don't have to worry about relying on other sides to lose."

 

Critical turnovers were again costly for the Eagles against the Bombers and Waters said the group was continuing to improve that aspect of their football.

 

"I think as a team those parts of the game are quite costly for any team," Waters said.

 

"I know the stats say we're at the bottom part of the ladder for that. We addressed that in our mid-season review."

 

Injuries continue to plague West Coast. Luke Shuey was a late withdrawal last week with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to return against the Crows.

 

The number of injuries and the lack of continuity of personnel has been a major frustration for Waters and the team. 

 

"Simply, it's been tough," Waters said.

 

"We recruited Sharrod Wellingham on the basis he would create a bit more of a midfield presence. Unfortunately he's only played the couple of games.

 

"It doesn't take away anything from the other guys that have come into the side. 

 

"We've done a great job of developing a list that has great depth and that's been tested at times this year."