Liam Baker believes learning some tough lessons will hold West Coast’s developing squad in good stead as they plot a rise back up the ladder.
The inaccurate Eagles swallowed a bitter pill after being overrun by North Melbourne in Bunbury on Sunday, having led a scrappy affair by 18 points early in the final term.
Baker conceded West Coast’s players ‘went away from our roles’ during the frantic finish as the game slipped away, despite the Eagles commanding inside 50s (63-41) and largely playing the contest on their terms.
“It’s a tough one to lose. We obviously dominated a lot of that game and to not come away with four points was tough,” Baker said.
“It was pretty quiet in the rooms afterwards. We just need to be better in that last quarter and kicking straight helps as well.”
The upshot of the defeat was some important learnings, but also more promising signs that Andrew McQualter’s gamestyle is becoming embedded in the playing group.
“There’s some little connection stuff (going inside 50) that we went through today where we can get better,” Baker said.
“The coaches are talking about how exciting that is given we have been trying to figure out how to get out of our (defensive) 50 for a lot of the start of the year.
“It’s a different problem but it’s a good one to have.”
Baker climbed the AFL mountain twice at Richmond and understands what it takes to succeed in the hotbed of finals football.
The hard-edged defender was confident West Coast’s young team would benefit in the long run from their losses.
“Obviously we’re not winning, which is tough, but what we’re going after in terms of gamestyle we’ve improved a lot over the last six or eight weeks,” he said.
“We’re building a team that wants to play in those big games.
“We’re a long way off it at the moment, that’s fine, but we’re putting the steps in place to hopefully get there one day and I’m positive that it’s going to be working.”
The Eagles get a chance to test how far they have come in the 'WA Freeze' game on Sunday against Carlton, who were far too good when the teams met in Gather Round at Adelaide Oval nine weeks ago.
The Blues smashed West Coast in inside 50s (73-35), clearances (40-18) and contested possessions (136-77) on the way to a 71-point victory.
“Obviously Carlton have some big key forwards and a dangerous forward line. They touched us up as well two months ago,” Baker said.
“We’ll be ready to go. I’m confident we’re a better team now than we were then.
“We’ve learnt a lot since then so I’m looking forward to the challenge, but it’s going to be a tough game as it always is against Carlton.”
Baker donned the Big Freeze 11 edition beanie during Tuesday's media conference in support of Neale Daniher's inspirational fight to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
West Coast fans attending the 'WA Freeze' match on Sunday will be able to support the cause by purchasing Fight MND beanies, caps and socks at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
