WEST Coast's inability to respond to Richmond's intensity around the contest in the second half at the MCG on Saturday was chiefly to blame for its 11-point loss, coach Adam Simpson says.

The Eagles went into half-time of Saturday's game with a seven-point lead and but for inaccuracy in front of goal – they kicked 5.13 to the Tigers' 5.6 – would have been further ahead.

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But after being challenged by coach Damien Hardwick at the main break, Richmond lifted in the third term, kicking four goals to the Eagles' two to go into three-quarter time six points up. 

That score line probably didn't reflect the Tigers' dominance in the third quarter, where they won contested possessions 45-31, clearances 11-10, tackles 26-15 and inside 50s 22-6. 

Simpson said Richmond had "elevated" its contested play after half-time and his team had been unable to match it. 

"Our poor intent in the third really cost us," Simpson said. 

"We probably should have been hurt a bit more in that third quarter. Hardball gets, the ability to stick your head over the ball when it really mattered, went away from us in that third quarter in particular.

"Having said that the game was still right on the line up until the last five minutes.

"I sort of get that you can't win every game and you can have ups and downs with momentum, but it was just too big a gap with our consistency in that area." 

WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match media conference

The Eagles, now 2-1, have just five days to prepare for their round four clash on Easter Thursday at Domain Stadium against the winless Swans, who Simpson predicted would come out "breathing fire".

Simpson said West Coast wouldn't do much on the training track in the lead-up to the game.

"We'll review the game here and then our coaches will code the game and we've got to move on pretty quick," the Eagles coach said. 

"Monday we'll start working on opposition with our players. We'll take some positives out of today, but also take some big areas of improvement." 

Simpson fully expected forwards Jack Darling (left ankle) and Mark LeCras (head cut) would be fit to take on the Swans despite suffering minor injuries against Richmond. 

Darling landed awkwardly on his ankle in the opening minute of Saturday's game, but returned to the ground after five minutes on the interchange bench and played out the match. 

LeCras copped an accidental knee to the back of the head in a marking contest late in the game, but returned soon after to kick his third goal, and the final major of the match. 

"(Darling) pulled up fine. I haven't got any reports to say that he's no good," Simpson said. 

"We got through all OK. LeCras got a bit of a cut on the back of his head, but I think for the most part the guys finished off the full game."