It was the win that felt more like a loss to West Coast fans.
But coach Adam Simpson says there’s no point moping around following the Eagles’ uninspiring six-point AFL triumph over Melbourne on Saturday.
West Coast were meant to blow Melbourne out of the water at Domain Stadium, but the visitors tore up a script to take a six-point lead into the final change.
Goals to Andrew Gaff and Josh Hill early in the final quarter were enough for the Eagles to secure the 10.6 (66) to 8.12 (60) win, keeping them on track for a top-four finish.
West Coast now boast a 12-5 record following a five-match winning run.
But if their scrappy wins over Carlton and Melbourne during the past fortnight are anything to go by, West Coast are more like pretenders rather than premiership contenders.
The stats against Melbourne were particularly damning.
The Demons won the inside 50m count 66-37, contested possessions 160-143, and the tackle count 98-83.
And if Melbourne forward Jack Watts had kicked truly in the final quarter instead of hitting the post, the Demons could have walked away with a win.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos thought his team deserved to win the game, and Simpson agreed.
But Simpson said it was still important for his team to savour the result, before getting back down to business to fix their problems.
“We shouldn’t have won today, but we did,” Simpson said.
“We’ll take the win. We’ve got to enjoy the win.
“We’ve got a heap of work to do. I’m a glass half full (type of person).
“We can’t afford to be moping around. We’ve probably qualified for finals now. And we’ve got five weeks to give it a good crack, so we’ll do that.
“Two wins in a row have been scrappy and probably ugly as people say, but they’ve been wins.
“It’s about getting it right at the right time of the year. But the clock’s ticking.”
Melbourne have now lost 17-straight games in Perth, with their last win at Domain Stadium coming in 2004.
But Roos said his team took a huge step forward in slippery conditions on Saturday, and he reckons they’ll turn tight losses into wins once they become more composed under pressure.
“It’s a frustrating game. We won in every category,” Roos said.
“We’d love to win the game no doubt. But sometimes you have to take a look away from the scoreboard on days like today, because really all the key stats we won.”
The Demons had two controversial free kicks paid against them in the final quarter for deliberate out of bounds.
Roos was measured in his response when asked about the incidents.
But it was clear to see the veteran coach wasn’t impressed.
“I’ll say it this way, I’m not going to miss the rules when I’m finished at the end of the year, because … anyway, enough said.”
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Well I am!
Don Freo
Guest
Nothing about any of your comments suggest you are an Eagles fan.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
But they haven''t beaten anyone in the Top 8 other than NMFC to get there and it looks like they won't add another Top 8 scalp before the finals. They will end up playing the Bulldogs in an elimination final and may possibly have a chance given the doggies injuries. After that they will get flogged by whomever they play in the semis, if they get that far which I doubt. I would rather see the doggies beat WCE in the elimination final because they deserve to go deeper into the finals than the WCE do, and I am an Eagles fan.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
It seems Tom Lamb has been putting in some excellent games in the twos on a wing. Maybe Simpson should give him a go against the Dockers in two weeks time, if not this Saturday. We need someone to replace Rosa until Jetta steps up.
justinr
Guest
I made the point last week that every team in the top eight has been flaky or downright awful at times this year. If they don't get 2nd spot then they could get 3rd or 4th and get lucky. It's a small chance for them to win this year's flag, but I wouldn't write them off until there is no possibility of them getting a top four spot.
BigAl
Guest
As a long time supporter of Aussie Rules, the last thing I want to see, particularly this year is a GF where any side gets a flogging. And, I think the Eagles would go through a lot more healing if they exit the finals after a close and gutsy but losing effort at the G, rather than making the GF, only to be humiliated agan.
KingKongBundy
Guest
Ronan could be onto something here
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"It was the win that felt more like a loss to West Coast fans." Haha what? We get it...the Eagles haven't exactly excelled this year. But the pessimism and criticism being heaped on each round is wildly exaggerated for a team in 4th spot, with 5 wins on the trot and a season record of 12-5.
Don Freo
Guest
You could try giving them some games on the G. That would increase their chances.
KingKongBundy
Guest
And there playing bad mate! imagine if they get it together and find some form ? anything could happen Maybe another Grand final flogging again Big Al?? ill take that over not making the GF at all that's for sure #runnersup
Westernperspective
Guest
If you can get a hold of it, there's a really interesting article in the weekend Aus about the Eagles which outlines how Nic is the most dominant ruckman in the league whilst Lycett is in the bottom tier. However champion data indicates that since losing Nic Nat, the eagles are the number one side in the league in preventing opposition clearances. Re your suggestions: McKenzie is an old school one on one backman rather than zone defense oriented. I totally agree. But he'll only get better with game time. Darling doesnt have the Riewoldt tank. He'd be better placed as a hard mid Koutifides style. Re Yeo. He's still developing. Give him game time. I personally think Le Cras is past it. So I dont think it matters where you play him. Forward pocket or retire for me. All this suggests to me that there's upside. West Coast are % off 2nd.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Whats not to like is that the midfield is getting slaughtered. Okay, Nic Nat is to come back and by God that better make some difference. I will start barracking for another side while Simpson is Coach if he doesn't drop Redden back to the twos for good this week. The guy is useless!! McKenzie is not to like as well. The guy cannot play a zone defense and reminds me of Dawson from the Dockers - all he wants to do is punch the ball and then run away from the contest. Playing Yoe anywhere but on the ball is also not to like. Starting Le Cras on the defensive side of the square at the CBD is also not to like. Has Le Cras ever won a CBD clearance since he has been doing this? Playing Masten on a wing is also not to like. He is a midfielder and can't play a position if his life depended upon it. Either play Darling on the wing, a la Reiwoldt or give the job to Nelson.
Westernperspective
Guest
Fair enough. However they did last time out and Carlton proved against the Swans that they're no easy beats. There's no doubt that the Eagles need to improve. I am just saying that they are well placed considering their fragility away. Also, I think that most sides in the 8 have obvious weaknesses, hence it's wide open this year. Any side with momentum heading into September will have a shot. That could quite easily be the Eagles. Especially with Natanui coming back.
BigAl
Guest
What's not to like is their inability to perform at the G ! - or anywhere away from home.
BigAl
Guest
Thanks KKB - good to know I'm being heard out there.
Westernperspective
Guest
If they won by 10 goals would you be calling them flat track bullies? The Hawks win 5 by less than 10 points, do you call them pretenders or are they good at winning the close ones? Would you give that same balanced perspective when assessing West Coast? The Dees dominate and still only kick 8 goals in wet and slippery conditions. Is that misuse or is the Eagles defence first class? Or have the Eagles learnt some grit in the face of adversity? Nic Nat to come back. West Coast knocking on the door despite his absence. No dominant opponent out there. What's not to like?
KingKongBundy
Guest
I find it flabergasting that you BigAl managed to comment on a Eagles thread and didn't mention the 2015 grand final!!!! well ill be stuffed!
BigAl
Guest
. . . season 2016
BigAl
Guest
I find it flabergasting that articles containing sentences that contain the words "West Coast" and "premiership contenders" have been written at all for season 2015 - let alone this deep !
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Nah, its all good. Simpson is really clear where they are at and what they need to do. He has been clear about this for about 12 rounds now, so we wait patiently for him to do something about it!!!!!!!!!