West Coast Eagles under fire after shambolic effort against Essendon

The condemnation aimed at West Coast was as swift and as cutting as the manner in which Essendon sliced them apart.

The Eagles leave the oval after defeat against Essendon at Optus Stadium on Thursday night. Picture: AAP

The condemnation aimed at West Coast was as swift and as cutting as the manner in which Essendon sliced them apart through the midfield in a major surprise in Perth on Thursday night.

After West Coast managed just one goal before halftime when playing for outright top spot, former champions were stunned by the lack of effort mustered by the Eagles.

“That’s as weak-kneed a performance as I’ve seen from a West Coast side for 15 years,” former Melbourne champion Garry Lyon declared on Fox Footy.

“They couldn’t be bothered. That was a pathetic half of footy from a side who are sitting on top of the ladder.”

As a result of the loss, West Coast slipped to third on percentage behind Richmond and Sydney.

Although the defeat is not fatal to their September chances, a golden opportunity to maintain a buffer on key rivals in the race to secure a home qualifying final went begging.

There was always a concern heading into the clash as to how the Eagles would perform without key forwards Josh Kennedy or Jack Darling marshalling their attack. West Coast had not played without at least one of the towering forwards in their attack since the derby against Fremantle in round six, 2009.

Dysfunctional is the immediate answer. For the second week in succession, the Eagles had more forward 50-metre entries and comparable scoring shots yet were beaten.

After being blitzed in the opening quarter, they orchestrated their own demise with appalling accuracy, with 6.16 (52) against the Bombers following the 7.15 (57) against the Swans.

The Eagles made enough chances to win both matches. But they have missed the mark badly.

On one occasion, ruckman Scott Lycett missed the ball completely with an attempt off the ground while on the goal line.

Coach Adam Simpson, though, was more concerned with the lack of effort early.

“If we played every quarter like the last three, then we could sit here and go ‘we’ve got some work to do with our missing key position players’,” Simpson said.

“I’m not going to offer any excuses. We were poor in the first quarter, they were really good and we got what we deserved.”

Kennedy, who missed the loss with a hairline fracture in his leg, may return as soon as Saturday’s clash against the Crows in Adelaide in a match of importance for both clubs.

Darling, arguably the best forward in the competition early in the year, is likely to return from an ankle injury early next month.

But there is also a potential tactical issue rivals may seek to test in coming weeks and into September.

Dashing defender Adam Saad noted during a halftime interview that Essendon had done their homework on West Coast during the bye and found “there is a lot of space through the midfield”.

Midfielder Devon Smith also confirmed the Bombers believed there were benefits when playing West Coast in directing the football through the middle rather than along the boundary.

“Essendon has obviously spotted something and been able to exploit it,” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said.

Taking part in a promotional appearance yesterday in Perth, West Coast midfielders Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff masqueraded as baristas.

The Eagles could have used a cup of the brew before the Essendon clash given their disastrous opening term, though Shuey is confident the loss will have a similar impact to the coffees they served yesterday. “It’s a good wake-up call for all of us,” he said. “If you’re off your game just a little bit, anyone can beat anyone.”

After an ordinary start to the year that includes a loss to the bottom-placed Blues, Essendon have found the form expected of them before the start of the season.

The Bombers have won four of their past five games and sit only one game outside the eight, though it will be back to two matches should the Kangaroos beat the Bulldogs tonight.

A weak percentage is also a hindrance to their finals hopes, serving as an additional game the Bombers must make up to edge above their rivals.