Hansen wants answers

WEST Coast forward Ash Hansen is preparing to put the microscope over his side's 11-goals-to-one second quarter against Richmond, as the Eagles search for answers to their 77-point loss on Sunday.

The Tigers' second term, their best-ever quarter against the Eagles, was built on nuggetty clearance work, chiefly from Nathan Foley and 18-year-old Trent Cotchin.

And with the Tigers winning the clearances 16-3 for the quarter, slamming on seven unanswered goals in the process, Hansen said his side would need to find an answer to its midfield woes during the week.

"That second quarter is something we've really got to reflect on this week and make sure it won't happen again, because it's probably happened too frequently this year," Hansen told westcoasteagles.com.au.

"That's what's so frustrating, I don't know what it was. In AFL footy every team's going to get a run on. We've got to learn a way to stop that quickly and reverse the trend. That's what good sides do and what we've got to work on during the week."

West Coast entered the game with a four-pronged attack not seen this year. Tall timber Josh Kennedy, Ben McKinley and Quinten Lynch joined Hansen, but between them they could only manage five goals.

Hansen, who kicked one goal and had nine marks, said the lack of opportunity was frustrating for the forwards but a more defensive approach in the middle of the ground may yet be the answer.

"It's frustrating being down there because you want to have an impact for the team but I suppose you're handcuffed a little bit and you can't do that," he said.

"But we were definitely beaten out of the middle and maybe we have to look at our defensive mindset for those minutes that we are under siege there and maybe clamp down on their better players.

"We've got the personnel in there, we just have to get it working for us."

Hansen was confident the tight-knit Eagles would remain positive and bounce back from the loss. But he said there was a definite expectation on players to lift for the remainder of the season, both on the track and on game day.

"We won't beat around the bush and guys know where they're at," he said.

"He (coach John Worsfold) wants guys at this footy club that are going to work hard and come in here tomorrow with their heads up looking to improve, because that's the character of person we want at this footy club.

"And if you're not one of those players, you're not going to help us go forward. And you're not going to have a place here.

"That's the only way that we can improve."