Eagles seek to break losing streak

WEST Coast superstar Dean Cox says Sunday's clash with Brisbane at Perth's Patersons Stadium is not about getting even with the Lions.

Lions vs Eagles

WEST Coast superstar Dean Cox says Sunday's clash with Brisbane at Perth's Patersons Stadium is not about getting even with the Lions.

It is about getting the Eagles' season back on track.

Brisbane started West Coast's slide from the top of the ladder with their stunning two-point upset win over the Eagles at the Gabba in round 10.

Two consecutive losses to Sydney and Adelaide in the past fortnight have seen the once high-flying West Coast fall out of the top four.

The Eagles ruckman/forward said the round 10 boilover had been spoken about in the build-up to the re-match with the Lions but the focus in the west was more about snapping a disturbing losing streak.

"We have talked about it (round 10) but it wasn't a massive chat. The most important thing to us is where we are right now and making sure we get back into that winner's circle," Cox said.

"The players are all aware of the result from the Gabba and how we allowed Brisbane to kick eight goals in the last quarter and especially the last three or four in the last 10 minutes when we were 20 points up.

"We just just really want to get our season back on track.

"Against Sydney we stayed with them for a period of time and just fell away against a very good side and last week our effort was lacking which was very disappointing.

"We went to Adelaide hoping to have a real crack but we had a lack of intensity, got beaten at the clearances and did not win enough contested ball which is what we pride ourselves on."

Cox said nulifying Brisbane's midfield led by Lions great Simon Black was a priority for the Eagles.

"Every player, especially me, has admired what Blackie has done in his career so far and he continues to get the job done," he said.

"He is so clean with his hands, so good at stoppages and brings other players into the game with his handball. We need to shut him down along with guys like Redden and Rockliff who generate a lot of football through the midfield for the Lions."

Cox reminded the AFL world that he had lost none of his extraordinary powers with his round 15 heroics in West Coast's win over North Melbourne in Hobart when his three goals, 21 disposals, 15 marks and 24 hitouts lifted the Eagles to a comeback victory.

In combination with Nic Naitanui, he forms part of the AFL's most dynamic and dangerous ruck duo.

"This year has been pretty consistent, rucking half the game and playing forward the other half. I'm enjoying the role and enjoying making an impact when I go forward so hopefully I can keep that going this weekend," he said.