Eagles mentally tougher despite dramas: Simpson

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson believes his club’s drama-filled year has helped the players build a steely resolve.

The Eagles have endured their fair share of ups and downs in 2018.

The high of finishing in second spot on the ladder and securing a home preliminary final has been contrasted with season-ending injuries to Nic Naitanui and Brad Sheppard.

Andrew Gaff’s eight-week suspension and Liam Ryan’s early morning car crash were also unwanted distractions.

And this week’s retirement of Eric Mackenzie due to debilitating feet injuries further highlighted the fickle nature of life in the AFL.

West Coast will host either Melbourne or Hawthorn in next week’s preliminary final at Optus Stadium.

If the Eagles win that, they are likely to come up against Richmond in the Grand Final.

Simpson is proud of the way his players have stayed grounded.

“We’ve had a bit of adversity this year,” he said.

“Ideally as a club you don’t want any distractions. You want to train at the same place every week, you want your top 10 in the side, you want to grow your kids, you want no off-field dramas, you don’t want to be on the front page of the paper.

“It’s been up and down this year. I don’t think it’s been difficult though. It’s just probably given us a bit more resolve more than anything.”

Star forward Josh Kennedy has returned from a fractured shin at the perfect time.

Kennedy, playing his first match in seven weeks, was rusty in last Saturday’s 16point win over Collingwood, finishing with 2.4.

The two-time Coleman medallist was crucial in the second half, and Simpson said Kennedy pulled up well.

A pre-finals bye and the week off during the finals means West Coast will have played just one match in 26 days before fronting up for the preliminary final.

But Simpson said match simulation at training will leave the players fit and ready to go.