Simpson calls on Eagles to respond in AFL

Another MCG surrender to Hawthorn has West Coast coach Adam Simpson worried about his team’s resilience ahead of the AFL Western Derby.

Sunday’s 51-point hammering from the Hawks reopens questions about the Eagles, while resurgent Fremantle have won their last three matches.

West Coast have won only six of their last 24 games at the MCG and not beaten the Hawks there since 2006.

“It’s disappointing, I’m not happy about it, but we have to respond,” Simpson said of next Saturday night’s big match against the Dockers.

“We have to see what our boys have got.

“We’re a pretty mature side … we expect more as a club.

“But they’re hurting at the moment, no doubt.”

Adding to the Eagles’ woes, Jamie Cripps hurt his ankle late in the last quarter.

Sam Mitchell will also need to prove his fitness at training after missing out on playing against his old side because of an ankle problem.

Simpson said there were no surprises about what Hawthorn hit his team with – the Eagles simply did not cope.

“The Hawks just were relentless all day – all day – and we couldn’t sustain it,” he said.

“Even when our intent was right, we looked fumbly, from our senior players down to our kids.”

Simpson added their problem was how they handled playing at the MCG, rather than the ground itself.

“I get the question, but was it the MCG? I have no defence on that,” he said.

“I’m not worried about the ground, I’m more worried about our resolve, our resilience, our intent.

“We have bigger problems than playing at the MCG at the moment.”

Ruckman Jonathan Giles was a late withdrawal from the Eagles’ side, but Hawthorn counterpart Ben McEvoy dominated with 43 hitouts and was best afield.

“We tried something different today – I really have to reflect and review on it,” Simpson said of their ruck tactics.

“I don’t think it was the reason we got pantsed.”

Simpson spent much of the second half coaching from the bench, rather than in the box.

“I just want to see how the players respond to adversity – we’re still not where we want to be in that area,” he said.

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