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Tom Barrass has made a series of uncharacteristic errors over the past fortnight, but West Coast are confident he will bounce back during the AFL finals.
West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn has told Tom Barrass not to worry about his recent fumbles, saying the star defender needs to forget about them heading into the AFL finals.
Barrass has committed a host of uncharacteristic errors over the past fortnight, with the mistakes proving costly in losses to Richmond and Hawthorn.
The 23-year-old is normally a proven performer in big games, and Hurn has faith Barrass will play well in next week's elimination final against Essendon.
"No one intends to make a mistake. If you make a mistake, just try and aim to not dwell on that," Hurn said.
"That's something we've worked on throughout the last three years, to make sure we stay in the moment. What's gone is gone.
"So just keep backing yourself, because pretty much every player - and Tom is one of them - makes more right decisions than wrong decisions. Mistakes happen."
Eagles coach Adam Simpson felt Barrass may have been harshly judged in recent weeks.
"Unfortunately when you play in the last line, you save the day six or seven times - which he does every week - and then if you miss a couple of predictable moments the spotlight comes on," Simpson said.
"We think that's a little bit unfair. Yeah he can play a little bit better, but we think he's doing a reasonable enough job to compete in the air."
Eagles forward Josh Kennedy has also been put under the spotlight.
Kennedy went two straight games earlier this year without booting a goal, but still managed to kick 44 goals in 20 games during the home-and-away season.
"He's playing on the best defender every week," Simpson said.
"We've been really proud of our forward line this year, and he's been a big part of that.
"He had four shots on goal on the weekend. If we get that every week, you'll take it."