Adam Simpson has backed Jack Darling to rediscover his best AFL form as the key forward works his way back to full match fitness.
Darling struggled on his return in the 15-point loss to North Melbourne on Sunday, managing just six disposals as part of a severely undermanned Eagles side.
He went goalless as the main marking target in attack and missed a simple shot at goal with the game on the line late in the final term.
The below-par showing came after Darling sat out a significant period of the pre-season through his vaccination hesitancy and battled a foot injury that kept him out of round one.
"He just hasn't played for a long period of time," Eagles coach Simpson said.
"He tried his hardest tonight, he didn't have a heap of support with a couple of fresh faces down there.
"That was probably like his first pre-season game, an intense atmosphere, and he competed all day.
"He probably lowered his colours but I'm really happy he got through."
Simpson said critics should cut Darling some slack as he had just one main training session with his teammates before his return match.
"He's a bit rusty but I think we all would be," Simpson said.
A COVID-19 wave and injuries forced the Eagles into 14 changes against North Melbourne and Simpson is unsure how many first-choice players will return for the derby against Fremantle in round three.
Experienced wingman Andrew Gaff is expected to be available after a minor foot injury.
"Some of the guys that are in the protocols will come out pretty late in the week," Simpson said.
"Unfortunately the synergy won't be there again, we're going to chop and change ... but hopefully in the long run it pays us back.
"We'll have a crack next week, absolutely."
Simpson remains upbeat despite the Eagles' first 0-2 start to a season since 2013, the year before he took over as coach.
"It's not ideal for us but I don't think they're excuses, they're probably reasons (for the record)," Simpson said.
"We want to win so we're doing everything we can to do that, it's just we've hit a bit of adversity at the same time."
