Selwood calls on Eagles to lift
Scott Selwood says West Coast's midfield has the talent to deliver in big games and has instead blamed the team's barren run on a spread of players not living up to their abilities.
The club's vice-captain gave the verdict as the Eagles weigh up whether to recall 2010 All-Australian Mark LeCras for Sunday's match against Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium.
The ninth-placed Eagles are desperately short of a reliable goal kicker after booting a combined total of 30.51 in a wayward past four games and they will be tempted to throw LeCras into the fray despite having a bye after the Giants clash.
West Coast have been soundly beaten around the stoppages in three of those four losses.
Only five players - Mark Hutchings, Matt Priddis, Brad Sheppard, Shannon Hurn and Matt Rosa - managed 20 or more disposals in the western derby on Sunday in a sign of the team's inability at times to win the ball.
West Coast are second last in the league for clearances this season, ahead of only a battling Melbourne.
The team is 15th in terms of total disposals, with a core midfield of Priddis, Rosa, Selwood, Luke Shuey, Chris Masten and Andrew Gaff that is lacking genuine leg speed.
Selwood conceded that West Coast had "plateaued" in some areas since being billed as premiership contenders in 2011 and 2012, but refused to blame recent performances on the quality of the club's playing list.
"As a (midfield) group, we've probably been a little bit below par on our expectations," he said.
"I think throughout the pre-season games I thought we competed really well, so we know we've got the talent and the drive to do it.
"It's just a matter of getting it done.
"Every year's hard to judge on how you're going to go. I think you always have high expectations and you hold those high expectations because you've got a lot of confidence in your list and we still do.
"We still think we're a good chance to play some really good footy this year."
An out-of-sorts Nic Naitanui was again quiet against Fremantle, finishing with nine disposals, two marks and 13 hit-outs.
"We feel as though Nic's copping the brunt of it, but I think there's a number of boys that feel they're not playing to their best abilities," Selwood said.
Sharrod Wellingham is a strong chance to be recalled after amassing 25 disposals, including seven inside-50s, in response to being dropped back to East Perth, particularly with Shuey in doubt with a foot injury.
Defender Blayne Wilson will miss up to five weeks with a broken thumb.
"As a (midfield) group, we've probably been a little bit below par on our expectations."" *Scott Selwood *
