John Worsfold has declared West Coast's forward line can stand up without injured sharpshooter Mark LeCras after his side opened the NAB Cup in the best possible way on Sunday night.
The Eagles produced some exceptional pressure footy - especially for this time of year - as they opened the tri-series encounter with a 21-point victory over Essendon in blistering conditions on Sunday evening, before accounting for Fremantle by 20 points later in the night.
Making the second result more impressive for West Coast was the fact Fremantle looked very impressive in their first game under Ross Lyon as they defeated Essendon by 36 points in the evening's middle game.
But the Dockers simply had no answer to the Eagles' forward press as West Coast produced 15 inside-50s to two during a 15-minute period during the first half.
"We certainly believe we got a lot out of the two games," Worsfold said.
"The intensity of the players all over the field was where we want it."
"We know we've got to improve this year and that's what we're challenging our players to do at training and in games. That's what we're going to measure against and try to set a higher standard."
Eagles' fans also saw Gerrick Weedon, Ashton Hams and former Bulldog Josh Hill all stake their claims to replace LeCras in the forward line, with Weedon taking the early honours as he kicked two goals against the Bombers before adding another in the Dockers' clash.
Hams also booted two against Essendon, while Hill looked generally dangerous, but Worsfold maintained it was too early to make any decisions on LeCras' replacement.
"We're lucky enough to have a lot of options," Worsfold said.
"(Ryan) Neates looked really sharp when he came on, Josh Hill, I was really impressed with his game. So just looking at some of those guys that can potentially fill that role - they've all got another month of training to put their hand up."
"Our (forward) guys are working pretty hard together, but obviously without having (Nic) Naitanui in and (Josh) Kennedy, who are pretty important parts of the forward structure, we are very confident our structure will hold up regardless."
And Worsfold said the players weren't concerned whatsoever with suggestions the Eagles were a spent force in 2012 without LeCras.
"It got in my daughter's craw a little bit, but as a 15-year-old I can understands maybe her being influenced by that," he said.
"But ... we had players injured last year, Ryan Neates, and we feel all the same for those players, regardless of who it is."
Although Lyon was generally happy with his side's overall display, he felt the Dockers' inability to bust through West Coast's press was somewhat concerning.
"I thought we were quite dominant in the first game and the second game, the Eagles really got on top around the clearances and their pressure was really good and we struggled to get it out of our back half a little bit," Lyon said.
"There's some stuff we'd be concerned about but I think if you put it in context for a first hit out, I think we walk away with a clear understanding of where we need to improve and what we did pretty well."
"In saying that, I thought we scrapped on really well, we found a way to just hang in hand in which at times you've got to do."
Lyon also said key midfielder David Mundy may still be in some doubt for Round 1 as he continues to have complications following his nasty high ankle strain last season, although the coach felt Michael Barlow (leg) and Anthony Morabito (knee) were still good chances to play in the season opener, despite suffering small setbacks over the last few weeks.