For now, West Coast players will give John Worsfold some space as the premiership coach ponders whether to stay on for another AFL season or call it quits.
But if Worsfold is still undecided about his future by the end of the season, Eagles vice-captain Beau Waters hopes player power will convince the club great to remain at the helm.
West Coast chairman Alan Cransberg has already declared Worsfold will be handed a contract extension if the 2006 premiership coach chooses to go on.
Waters said he had blossomed under the leadership of Worsfold, but would also understand if the 44-year-old chose to walk away.
Worsfold will weigh up family matters and his passion for coaching before making a final call on his future.
But if he remains torn about what to do, then a push from West Coast’s senior players might be enough to convince Worsfold to continue on into a 13th season.
“If it came down to John needing to be persuaded – if one of the factors was if the senior players wanted him to stay on – then of course we would endorse him,” Waters said on Monday.
“He is an inspirational leader. He’s an absolute champion of the club and he does so much for the West Australian community and the football community.
“I have only had one coach in my career and I feel I have blossomed under his direction.
“So for me, I would like to see him go on. But it’s not my call.
“I know there are a lot of different factors to come into play, but he will make the best choice for himself, his family and the football club.”
The Eagles (6-7) sit two games adrift of eighth spot, and face a defining three weeks in their bid to make the finals.
Saturday night’s clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium will be followed by home games against top-four aspirants Fremantle and Sydney in Perth.
Waters believes West Coast can buck the odds and reach the finals by winning at least seven of their remaining nine games.
But with Adelaide also in the same boat with a 6-7 record, Waters labelled Saturday’s clash as an eight-point game, with the loser almost certain to miss finals action.