Heading into our mid-season bye, I can say I feel very positive about the direction West Coast are heading in.

Over the last four to five weeks, besides one quarter of our Carlton game on Sunday, I think fans are starting to see the path we’re on and now is the perfect time for players, coaches and staff to go away, reflect on where we want to get better and really lock in for the rest of the year.

Many look at the wins to losses ratio when assessing a team’s performance, but I think for a rebuilding side there are far better indicators of how they are performing.

For us, I would say it’s been a mixed bag. It probably took five to six weeks for the team to gel and stabilise our game, but I think we are on the right path.

POSITIVES

Six debuts

One of the key areas in a rebuild is playing our young guns and developing our rising stars.

That is something we have certainly done this year, with six making their debut in the first half of the season.

The latest of those was Tom McCarthy, our mid-season draftee who broke the record for the most disposals in a first game for Eagles against Carlton on Sunday. He looks like a serious player who has fit right in.

Bo Allan has played a couple and is building nicely, even though most of that has been in the WAFL.

Archer Reid has been one of our most competitive players and Tom Gross looks like he will be a future 200-gamer, you can just see it.

Sandy Brock has given 100 per cent in defence in his five games so far, and Hamish David has improved across his four outings.

Boys to men

So many of the younger guys on our list are really finding their feet this year — whether that be in new positions or finally getting game time, there are many who have emerged as future leaders and made a name for themselves.

A few examples — one is Brady Hough, who has shifted into the midfield over the past month or so. He is excelling in this area and shows incredible on-field leadership as well, whether he is in the centre or at home in the backline.

To have Elijah Hewett fit and out there playing every week has been a massive bonus for us, while Harley Reid has built into the year nicely, his past two months have been excellent.

Ryan Maric is one who looks at home at half-back and Reuben Ginbey will be an absolute superstar if he isn’t already.

The recruits

Getting Liam Baker and Jack Graham from Richmond has been massive for us. They have shown leadership and given us stability, both on the ground and within the four walls of the club.

After moving over from the Hawks last year, I think Tyler Brockman has played his best footy this season and has really cemented his spot in our side.

Overall

In terms of our growth and direction, we are on track. I personally feel we are improving. We are moving the ball far better. Our contest work and workrate is far better.

Andrew McQualter, or Mini, is just over a dozen games into his career and we are getting great direction from him and he’s making serious in-roads.

AREAS TO IMPROVE

Wins on board

At the mid point of the season, we’ve got one win on the board.

Like I said, you don’t necessarily judge a rebuilding team on their wins and losses, but we’ve had many close games that could have gone our way.

Consistency

I think our game plan is on track and a big part of this is our contested work and keeping the ball in our forward half as much as possible.

It is something we have nailed at times and it’s something that’s let us down at other times.

I’d say these are the two biggest areas coaches and players will be reflecting on during the short break — how can we consistently excel in these key performance areas.

Fundamentally, we are a young side and we are always looking to improve our basic skills as much as possible as well.

On a side note — I want to thank everyone for the support in recent weeks as I’ve faced the AFL concussion panel.

I’ll have a clearer picture of where I’m at in coming days. I’m all good, I’m anxious about the result, but glad I will have some clarity around my future soon after a long process.