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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

Dessert still on menu as Eagles look to fix away woes

West Coast skipper Oscar Allen will return after knee surgery which ruled him out since round one. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Apple crumble will still be on the menu as West Coast look to drastically improve their record away from home, starting with Sunday's AFL clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

The Eagles have made big strides this year at home, with last year's wooden spooners defeating Richmond, Fremantle and Melbourne, while coming close to toppling Essendon, North Melbourne and St Kilda.

But their results away from home have been horrible, highlighted by the 99-point loss to Adelaide in their most recent foray away from Optus Stadium.

A 76-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs, a 66-point loss to Collingwood and a 50-point loss to Port Adelaide have been among West Coast's other blowouts on the road.

Rather than tinkering with too many things on away trips, coach Adam Simpson believes better performances will come simply by having a stronger mindset.

Simpson
Success on the road comes down to attitude, says Eagles coach Adam Simpson. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

"Our away form, it still looks pretty dire," Simpson said.

"Our team is starting to get to the point now where we should be competitive everywhere we play.

"If you start talking about, 'We've got to get rid of the desserts because there's too much apple crumble' - we've done all that (in the past).

"In 2017 we were the flat track bullies (because) we were winning heavily at home and losing away. 

"And then in 2018 (when we won the premiership) we won against the Bulldogs in round two, and then it (the poor away form) just went away. 

"So I think this will all change if we start winning. So what gets us over the line is probably more about attitude than the hotel (or other external things)."

Essendon (8-4-1) are looking to get back onto the winners' list after entering their bye week on the back of losses to Gold Coast and Carlton.

Ruckman Sam Draper returns for the first time since the Anzac Day draw with Collingwood, while winger Xavier Duursma and defender Mason Redman are also back for the Bombers.

Draper
Sam Draper (c) is back for the Bombers. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Forward Jade Gresham is out due to personal reasons.

West Coast have recalled Oscar Allen, with the skipper to join Jack Darling, Jake Waterman, Ryan Maric and Bailey Williams in a loaded forward line.

Dom Sheed (hamstring) goes out through injury, while Andrew Gaff was dropped to make way for Jayden Hunt.

Former Hawk Tyler Brockman has been named for his first AFL appearance since being charged by police with careless driving in May.

With West Coast still missing star midfield duo Harley Reid (suspension) and Tim Kelly (hip), Simpson will consider giving goalsneak Liam Ryan some more midfield bursts.

Ryan performed the role admirably in the final quarter against North Melbourne a fortnight ago when the Eagles almost snatched victory from 33 points down.

WEST COAST AWAY RESULTS IN 2024

*Lost to Port by 50 points at Adelaide Oval

*Lost to Western Bulldogs by 76 points at Marvel Stadium

*Lost to Sydney by 26 points at Summit Sports Park

*Lost to Gold Coast by 37 points in Carrara

*Lost to Collingwood by 66 points at Marvel Stadium

*Lost to Adelaide by 99 points at Adelaide Oval

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