Good signs for Eagles

West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich has indicated that another poor quarter could have cost the Eagles a much-needed win against the Kangaroos last weekend but he felt the side could draw many positives from the loss.

As has been the case for much of the season, the Eagles were competitive for three quarters against North Melbourne but let their guard down during the third term as the Kangaroos turned a 21-point deficit just after half-time into a seven-point lead going into the final stanza.

At his regular Wednesday press conference last week, Eagles coach John Worsfold declared he was unhappy with his players' intensity when opposition teams created run-ons and scored several goals in a row.

But, this time around, Sumich felt the Eagles maintained their intensity, despite being scored against, and that the result could have been very different if they had managed to convert a few more chances just after the main break.

"The first, probably, five minutes (of the third quarter) we had control and we didn't, again, put the scoreboard pressure on and then (we) probably lost a bit of confidence," said Sumich.

"And, they got their tails up and got plenty of inside 50s and, of course, that results in goals and points."

Sumich pointed out that one of the reasons for North Melbourne having more inside 50s during the third quarter were turnovers as the Eagles kicked out of defence.

However, despite the defensive mistakes, the former West Coast forward insisted the coaches were pleased with the form displayed by a new group of defenders that has been put together as a result of the Eagles' injury crisis this season, with Sumich saying that premiership midfielder Andrew Embley could possibly be reinvented as a defender following a poor run of form this year.

"When good players are just out of touch marginally, you just try something different," said Sumich on Embley's good showing in defence against the Kangaroos, where his rebounding runs set up several attacks.

"That's something we're just looking at with Andrew ... It doesn't mean he's a permanent backman though."

"In trying a few new players down there, we are getting the extra two or three turnovers a game that you don't want."

"Andrew Embley and (Will) Schofield, Ryan Davis are down there so they're new people (to the backline) and they might make the odd mistake (but) will only get better for being down there."

Sumich also said that the form of Chris Masten, Tyson Stenglein and Matt Priddis, in his first match since suffering a knee injury in Round 3, through the midfield were more encouraging signs.

However, Sumich believes the midfield can only get stronger, saying that Brad Ebert and Jamie McNamara were improving by the week, while premiership midfielder Sam Butler was close to returning from a long-term injury.

With Daniel Kerr set to return from suspension against Collingwood in Round 10, Sumich feels the Eagles could soon be fielding a stable and formidable midfield once again.

"Look, they've got a long way to go to compare to the two (Chris Judd and Ben Cousins) we've lost," said Sumich.

"But they're gone, so we've got to create our own history with this new midfield group. I think in 12 months time you'll see Masten, Ebert, McNamara, (Tim) Houlihan even, these blokes coming through and playing some good footy for us through the midfield."