West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has stated that his team has to improve after a horrible first quarter.
The Eagles lost to Carlton by 34 points, losing (7.10) 52 to (12.14) 86 on Sunday night.
The Blues kicked seven goals in the first quarter to take a commanding early lead as McQualter said the Eagles were “pathetic in the contest” in an interview given to Fox Footy at quarter time.
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McQualter conceded there wasn’t enough effort from his team in the first quarter after being behind by 39 points at quarter time.
“Unfortunately, we just didn’t turn up, when you lose contest by minus 20, too many fumbles, too many cough-ups, too many missed tackles,” he said.
“We spoke about it as a group that there’s a level you have to be able to compete at, and we weren't quite there in quarter one.”
West Coast have only won one game for the season and is sitting last on the ladder in McQualter’s first season with the club.
The Eagles saw some positives after outscoring the Blues in the third and fourth quarters, kicking four goals to two.
McQualter acknowledged the improvement and the players' determination to make improvements after quarter time.
“We improved, which is good. You always want to be able to respond, be able to fix things mid-game, it was looking pretty ugly there,” he said.
Debutant Tom McCarthy was also another shining light in their loss, gathering 31 disposals after being selected as pick one in the mid-season draft.
McQualter complimented McCarthy, saying he was a positive to look at after the defeat.
“He was exceptional, I thought it was a really impressive game, but to be fair, everything we’ve seen of Tom was that, unbelievably calm, nothing flusters him, clean with the ball, works hard, real shining light for us today.”
West Coast have the bye this week before playing Collingwood away in Round 16.