West Coast Eagles

Pre-season expectations: The Eagles were crunched in last year's grand final but were expected to learn from this and remain a power this year, finishing, at least, in the top four.

Record: 8-5 (seventh)

What's gone right:

For all of their woes on the road, they are in the top eight, and Domain Stadium remain a fortress, despite the shock loss to Adelaide in round 12. Josh Kennedy is one of the premier forwards in the league and is well placed (41 goals) to claim successive Coleman Medals.

But his scoreboard returns in the Eagles' five defeats – a combined 10 goals – sums up their woes on the road. By comparison, he booted a combined 17 goals in thumping wins over St Kilda and the Gold Coast Suns at home, and a tough win in Adelaide against the Power.

Jack Darling remains a formidable marking presence inside 50. Midfielders Andrew Gaff (generally at home), Luke Shuey and Matt Priddis – the latter despite 16 touches and a broken nose against the Lions – have largely been busy, while skipper Shannon Hurn has been typically resolute in defence.

The Eagles are top five in scoring from turnovers, highlighting their ability to capitalise on mistakes.

What's gone wrong:

A lack of fortitude. Heavy defeats on the road are a major issue, where the Eagles have slipped in the major statistical areas. The bottom line is disturbing – at home they average 121 points per game, on the road that dips to 80.

Another concern is they have yet to beat a top-eight side where, according to Champion Data, they average 74 less disposals, 13 less contested possessions, 18 less inside 50s and 11 less scoring shots.

Their forward press, dubbed the "Weagles Web", has been unable to generate the same number of turnovers away from Domain Stadium as it does at home.

The round-two crunching from Hawthorn at the MCG was startling, for it had been expected the Eagles would have relished the chance to make amends of a kind for the grand-final loss. Defeats in Sydney to the Swans and Geelong prompted claims they were "downhill skiers", while the fade-out against the Crows led Essendon-great-turned-commentator Matthew Lloyd to label them "soft".

Jamie Cripps, Mark LeCras and Gaff were also singled out for their underwhelming efforts on the road. LeCras has been held goalless five times through the season but, finally, had an influence on the road against the Lions, booting four goals.

There has been criticism the Eagles' midfield lacks balance, with too many outside runners, and not enough in-and-under grunt, outside of Priddis.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui had been enjoying a strong campaign until the pain in his ankles became too great, and he required surgery last week. The surgery released inflammation and pain in the plantaris tendons, while also cleaning up each of his Achilles tendons. He had sat second in the league for overall ruck hit-outs, averaging 36 per game, with about 12 going to a position of advantage. His absence means the Eagles have had to reconfigure their centre-square set up.

Lewis Jetta was lured home from the Swans with the brief of adding line-breaking runs but he has been a major disappointment. In seven matches he has barely averaged 13 touches. He was recalled for the Lions clash but had little impact, managing 15 disposals on a wing and across half-forward. Eagles' observers particularly noted that he did not lay a tackle.

Scott Lycett was dropped for the same match because of disciplinary reasons after a night out and played WAFL for East Perth. Former Giant and Bomber Jonathan Giles took his spot, and Lycett is no certainty to return immediately after the break.

Who is under the pump:

Veteran midfielder Xavier Ellis played 15 matches last season but has only two this year. Jetta, despite this being his first season at the club, must lift. Jamie Bennell managed nine games last year and has only two this season. He is contracted until the end of 2017 but shapes as trade bait. Former Lion Jack Redden hasn't had the impact many had expected. Elliot Yeo, averaging 20.8 disposals at home but 15.8 interstate, Shuey, averaging 26.7 at home but 22.8 interstate, and LeCras, averaging 2.3 goals at home but 1.2 away, need to be more consistent.

The run home:

They almost certainly will open with a home win over the Bombers but the tests then come, beginning against North Melbourne. While this, too, will be at Domain Stadium, the Kangaroos have won two of their past four there. Carlton, Melbourne, Collingwood and the derby then await but their finals hopes could well hinge on the final three weeks, with a trip to Sydney to face the Giants, a home clash against Hawthorn and a date in Adelaide against the Crows.

What coach Adam Simpson says:

"It's been a big block of games and we'll enjoy the time off. Where we go from here and what we do in the second half of the year, we can control that."

Grading: C

Up next – Sydney