West Coast coach John Worsfold is prepared to make changes to revive the Eagles’ flagging season, but refuses to concede his side is slow, even though they were run off their feet by Richmond.
The Tigers’ stunning 41-point triumph at Patersons Stadium on Monday night saw the Eagles slip out of the eight with a 5-5 win-loss record.
Worsfold is confident his team isn’t deficient in the pace department, a claim that will be scrutinised in Sunday’s clash with St Kilda, who also suffered a heavy loss last weekend.
“I would suggest people are clutching at straws if they’re throwing ideas like that around, but it’s something we’re prepared to review and critique,” Worsfold said on Wednesday.
“I don’t necessarily agree that we are slow.
“We’ve got some players who are slow, but in relation to other players.
“That’s the same as every team and no-one asked that question last year or the year before.
“We looked slow to man-up and looked slow to cover those areas of the ground, but not necessarily slow in our leg speed.
“Slow to react, yes. It was one of our poorer efforts in letting a team work through us.”
Worsfold is unlikely to make wholesale changes for the Saints’ clash, although there are sure to be some fresh faces.
Jamie Cripps could come in to add some run after a 21-possession, three-goal WAFL performance on Monday while Ashton Hams could add some bite to the forward-line.
Emerging defender Blayne Wilson has also been in good form with that trio seeming the most obvious to look to push out the likes of Andrew Embley, Mitch Brown, Andrew Gaff, Brad Sheppard, Adam Selwood, Sam Butler and Mark Hutchings, who could struggle to hold their spots.
“There’s a couple of scenarios and form is the biggest one,” said Worsfold.
“If players are out of form, then their spots are in trouble, because we’ve got some players in terrific form in the WAFL that are really pushing hard.
“The other side of it is we’ve really struggled to get a consistent team onto the field.
“So, a few changes into last week’s team, coming off four or five the week before.
“This week, we’ve got the opportunity to have a fairly stable line-up, so we’re balancing that up at the moment.”
Worsfold is out of contract at the end of 2013 but is no closer to deciding whether or not he will put his hand up to continue on.
“There’s probably 20 or 30 factors that will dictate that decision at the end of the year,” Worsfold said.
“They’ll all get thrown in the mix and blended up, see what it spits out.
“I know you’re anxious, but it’ll come around quick enough for you.”
