West Coast recruit Liam Baker believes that the valuable lessons learned from recent losses will benefit the club in the long run, despite the immediate challenges they face.
The Eagles nearly clinched victory against North Melbourne at Hands Oval in Bunbury but lacked leadership when the whips started cracking in the final term.
Field dominance that resulted in 63 inside 50s - the highest tally since Round 8, 2021 - was to no avail as a 6.16 scoreline failed to topple the Kangaroos.
"It was a tough one to lose. We obviously dominated a lot of that game, and to not come away with four points... it was tough," Baker said.
But the former Richmond premiership player was buoyed by the Eagles' ability to remain in the contest, and be within a shot of claiming the win.
The past month has yielded two losses under two goals, a win over St Kilda and impressive outings against top-four fancies Adelaide and Geelong.
West Coast ran the Cats until halfway through the fourth term, while the defeats to North Melbourne and Richmond could have easily gone the other way, which Baker believes is a good problem to have.
"Whether that's being scared to win, being scared to have the ball in your hands, I'm not too sure. But we went away from our roles at times, and that's not who we want to be," Baker said.
"But you know, it's good to get this problem now, early into our journey. Later down the track, when we're in these games, and hopefully some big, big games, big finals. We've learnt the lesson.
"Obviously, we're not winning, which is tough, but what we're going after in terms of game style, we've improved a lot over the last six, eight weeks.
"We're building a team that wants to play in those big games I've been talking about. We're a long way off it at the moment. That's fine, but we're putting the steps in place to hopefully get there one day, and I'm positive that it's going to be working."
Leading a young group, Baker's leadership across all lines is required, but since joining the Eagles, he has featured predominantly in defence.
Although Elliot Yeo has been absent in the midfield, as well as Tim Kelly at times, the 27-year-old is confident the likes of Brady Hough, Elijah Hewett and Harley Reid can steer the ship.
"I don't think (I will return to the midfield). Not at West Coast. I like the development of the boys we've got in there at the moment," Baker said.
"You know, Hewey (Elijah Hewett) has been getting better every week after he missed, what 18 months of footy? You can see his confidence growing. Harley (Reid) the same."
West Coast will host Carlton at Optus Stadium before the mid-season bye.
