West Coast coach Adam Simpson accepts criticism of his AFL club's away record will be inescapable after a 16-point loss to GWS at Giants Stadium.
The Eagles were competitive throughout Sunday's clash, which featured 13 lead changes in total but failed to hit the front in a tense final quarter.
Simpson's side are undefeated in Perth this season but are now 1-4 from games outside Western Australia.
The club has had its fair share of injuries this year, with Simpson upbeat that star Elliot Yeo could return in Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium.
But the Eagles' interstate form is not a new issue.
It has been a near-constant problem throughout the tenure of Simpson, who started coaching the club in 2014 and helped deliver the 2019 premiership.
"People look at it obviously like that," Simpson told reporters.
"And no worries because if you don't win on the road, you can be critical.
"Go for your life.
"It doesn't really change what we do and doesn't worry me ... that's a reality, so we have to own it."
Simpson added he is certain the issue will be "written about".
"Most people's away record is not as good as their home record but we accept it (criticism), no excuses," he said.
Simpson was scathing of his charges after last month's 97-point loss in Geelong but cut a far more positive figure on Sunday.
"You don't have to win every week but you need to play in a way you're proud of, today we had a good crack," he said.
Yeo will be assessed on Monday and, provided he pulls up well from a WAFL hit-out, could play his first AFL game of 2021.
"He's a chance. We have to work through that," Simpson said.
Simpson is unsure whether Alex Witherden, a late scratching from Sunday's loss because of a tight groin, will be fit for the round-11 match.
Brad Sheppard suffered an ankle injury in the third term but played out the rest of the match.
"That's a good sign," Simpson said.
"But we've had plenty of weeks this year when we get to Monday or Tuesday, scans come back and we're in strife. Touch wood."
