Rookie West Coast coach Adam Simpson says the Eagles aren't where he wants them to be, despite two convincing wins over top-four teams from last season and the emergence of quality back-up for ruck titans Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox.
The Eagles followed up an 84-point pasting of local rivals Fremantle with a 35-point win over Sydney in very wet conditions at Blacktown on Thursday night.
West Coast scored 47 unanswered points, most of them in the third quarter, to take control of the match against Sydney.
"We've got some results but that doesn't mean were exactly where we want to be," Simpson said.
"Good opposition, two top-four sides, big travel.
"We've been here two or three days, so I'm still getting used to the travel aspect of things and how we handle that as a coaching group as well, so we're still learning a lot and we're experiencing new things.
"It's been a good challenge."
Cox and Naitanui didn't play against Sydney.
But the efforts of 24-year-old rookie-listed Callum Sinclair, who kicked two goals and tallied 19 touches and 17 hitouts and Scott Lycett (17 possessions and 24 hitouts), showed the Eagles have decent depth in their big man department.
"They battled really well down there and in the middle and when it really mattered," Simpson said.
"To not have Nick and Coxy in the team, they filled the void pretty well.
"Their ability to play forward is what's impressing me.
"I know they can both ruck, but they are having some impact when they go forward and that's what you are looking for in the modern game."
Sydney coach John Longmire was disappointed at his team's inability to adequately service prize recruit Lance Franklin and fellow forward Sam Reid.
Franklin kicked just one behind and had only six possessions on his Sydney debut.
Longmire was happy with Franklin's pressure and fitness but shifted him up the field in the second half to get him more involved.
The Swans recorded only 21 inside 50s in the first three quarters.
"The ball just didn't get down there and when it did, it didn't come down with any quality," Longmire said.
"We just didn't win the ball, didn't use the ball, so we didn't give ourselves any opportunities.
"The best thing that comes out if from our perspective is probably some players got some game time but that's about it really."
