Eagles set for hub test
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says the Eagles will return to the Gold Coast hub a different side, having “evolved” during an unbeaten run at home that continued with a 12point win against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
The Eagles ended their first Queensland stint with a 3-3 record and 11th on the ladder, but an eight-game winning streak has catapulted them into the top four with a game in hand.
Simpson said the Eagles had “established a strong identity” back in Perth.
“I feel like we lost our way early up in Queensland, reviewed a few things, worked on a couple of things from a leadership point of view, and then we carried that out on the field,” Simpson said.
“I think there’s a reasonably good brand that stands up. We weren’t at our best tonight, but overall we got it done.”
The Eagles fly to the Gold Coast on Tuesday and face four games in 15 days, starting with 2019 premier Richmond on Thursday night.
They then face Essendon, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda in Queensland, before finishing the season against North Melbourne.
“The season is going to really tighten up in the next couple of weeks,” Simpson said.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. Our little compressed season is in front of us, whereas a lot of clubs have sort of gone through that. Our real test is what’s in front of us.”
Simpson said the Eagles expected a fight against the Giants, who rallied to kick four late goals but fell short.
The coach praised the performance of star defender Jeremy McGovern (pictured), who took 10 marks and stood tall as the Giants challenged.
“He’s a great player. To do what he did today was great for us and that’s why we really value him, and he’s a great leader,” Simpson said.
“His body is in good condition. He’s worked really hard on that, and he’s getting rewarded for it. Nic (Naitanui) set us up and ‘Gov’ probably saved us. And we had some really good performances.
“But we’ve got the Tigers this week, and we’ve got to go up another level to compete with them.”
Former Giants captain Callan Ward’s bad luck with injury continued when he suffered a compound fracture in his middle finger on his left hand.
Giants coach Leon Cameron said the 30-year-old, who missed last year’s grand final with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, was due to visit a surgeon in Perth.