The plight of West Coast's 2025 season continued on Friday night with the 59-point loss to GWS causing their record to slip to a dismal 1-15.
The Eagles once again found themselves in a significant first-quarter hole which they were unable to climb out of, conceding 22 inside 50s in the first term, while failing to convert their chains from defensive 50 into scores.
Senior coach Andrew McQualter expressed the need to 'dive deep' in their review to understand the club's recent slow starts at home. The Eagles have kicked just five scoring shots total (4.1) across their last three first-quarters at Optus Stadium.
"There's clearly something going on playing at Optus Stadium in our first quarters, especially the last few times we've played here," McQualter said. "We're going to have to do a really deep dive in what we're planning and how we're going with that. We didn't quite turn up in quarter one tonight and it was the same in the Carlton game."
"We're going to look inwardly and find out what's happening there. It was a comprehensive beating tonight; we got beaten in every phase of the game.
"It's a bit of an issue in our game at the moment that we're working through. We are lacking efficiency in our front half. There's multiple reasons for that.
"Unfortunately, we're not connecting as much as we'd like, we only had six marks inside 50. We had a lot of forward 50 stoppages tonight but couldn't score from them. There's a bit of work to do."
McQualter did find positives for the Eagles, however, loving the fight from young gun Harley Reid in his matchup with GWS superstar and AFL disposal-leader Tom Green.
However, he admitted there was room for Harley, and other Eagles, to improve where they direct their attention in the heat of the contest.
"It was a game of what ifs almost [for Reid], he was really close," McQualter said post-game.
"He was in the game, he was up for the fight tonight. He potentially lost his attention a couple of times which we'll keep working with him on.
"A few of our players lost their attention tonight, which we are going to have to work on and make sure we are putting our attention in the right spot."
Green and Reid had many physical exchanges throughout the match, including one fiery moment where Green swung his arm backwards, making contact with Reid's abdomen.
McQualter loved the ferocity displayed by both players and had no issue with Reid's approach, whose hot-headed moments have come under spotlight this season.
"He's an ultimate competitor, if we can get every player to compete like Harley and want to go about their business like that, we'll be happy," McQualter said.
"You always love the best players in the competition going up against each other. They [Reid and Green] spent a lot of time on each other at stoppage tonight. It's great, you want to see it and in the right spirit.
"[The retaliation from Reid] is what footy is about. As long as it doesn't cross the line, I love the competitiveness of the game and I hope all of our players do."
Despite the loss, Reid had one of his better games of the season, finishing with 24 disposals, seven clearances and a season-high seven tackles. He also led the match with 21 pressure acts.
The Eagles will travel to Adelaide next week to take on the Power in what could also turn into a feisty midfield clash, Port Adelaide's Zak Butters one of the AFL's top instigators.
