Eagles brace for their Everest in AFL run
Aug 12, 2017 - 5:30 PM West Coast coach Adam Simpson insists his team won't be daunted as they prepare to take on the AFL's equivalent of Mt Everest over the next fortnight.The Eagles surged back into the top eight on the back of Saturday night's hard-fought 17-point win over Carlton in Perth.
But West Coast face an uphill battle to make the finals given they take on flag fancies GWS (away) and Adelaide (home) in the final two rounds.
The Eagles (11-9) need to win at least one of those games to have any chance of reaching the finals.
And depending on percentage, they might need to win both.
But Simpson isn't shying away from the challenge, despite his team's continued struggles in the midfield.
"I understand what you're trying to say, but no," Simpson replied when asked whether it was a daunting challenge confronting the two flag favourites.
"It's exciting. It's up for grabs. Bring it on.
"We have played some pretty good footy this year.
"We have beaten some really good sides. We have played a good three quarters for most of the year.
"If we can play four quarters at our best, I think we are as good as anyone."
West Coast forward Mark LeCras (hamstring) was a late withdrawal against the Blues, but Simpson hopes the veteran will be fit to return against the Giants.
The Eagles lost the inside 50m battle 55-46 against Carlton, but Josh Kennedy's six-goal haul got West Coast over the line.
Carlton (5-15) have now lost eight straight games, and sit just 5.3 per cent above the last-placed Lions.
But Blues coach Brendon Bolton said the team wouldn't focus on the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
"Never brought it up, never will. We look to learn and grow every week. The outcome will be the outcome," Bolton said.
"We've got hope. I never question that. We know exactly where we're going.
"We're getting games into kids. We're developing our style. We're right in games up to our teeth.
"You don't play like we did today away from home ... and question hope. There's a lot of hope."
Source: AAP
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