Getting out of the blocks faster on the road was a key focus but West Coast coach Adam Simpson was left lamenting another slow start after Saturday’s 71-point loss to Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

The Eagles were smashed in the first term, trailing 59-2 at the opening change, as Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow bagged four of his 10 goals.

“The start again. Obviously it’s a killer for us when we’re the travelling side. We lost (Tom) Barrass before the game and then to give up nine goals by quarter-time, the game’s over,” Simpson said.

“It’s not the first time it’s happened. We keep digging our way to work our way through it, but it’s pretty frustrating for all of us.”

It continued a disappointing theme away from Optus Stadium, with the Eagles trailing a long way behind their opposition at quarter-time on five consecutive trips since leading Richmond at the MCG in round eight.

There were some bright spots, including the resilience to fight back and win the second half by kicking eight goals to six.

Youngsters Campbell Chesser (19 disposals), Elijah Hewett (17), Brady Hough (21) and Noah Long (10, one goal) would have learned plenty in a tough environment as the red-hot Blues marched into the top eight with five rounds to go.

“The game is pretty simple these days – if you can’t win your own ball, whether it’s around the stoppage or the outside, you lose field position and it’s really hard to transition these days,” Simpson said.

“I think we went at 17 per cent tackling efficiency in the first quarter, something like that, and then the clearances put us on the back foot with an undersized backline.

“Slowly we chipped away. I think we won the second half and saved a little bit of dignity, and we’ll learn and grow from those periods of play where younger players stood up and had good quarters here and there and showed a little bit of resilience, but the first quarter just iced the whole game.

“Credit to Carlton, one thing they have brought is pressure and contest. It’s been public they’re going after that and we couldn’t stop it.”

The Eagles will hopefully regain star defenders Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Barrass (sore neck) for the home game against North Melbourne.

But skipper Luke Shuey cut a dejected figure after another hamstring injury saw him subbed out of the Blues loss.

“Obviously he’ll be emotional, I would’ve thought,” Simpson said.