The fact Adam Simpson knew it was going to be this tough doesn't make it any easier to take.

Simpson is not surprised the rebuilding Eagles have made such a poor start to the AFL season.

After finishing bottom last year, they have lost all 12 quarters this season, and Sunday's 3.12 (30) against the Western Bulldogs was the sixth-lowest score in club history.

Asked if he thought the start of the season would so tough, Simpson replied: "That's what we have to be up for."

But he is also demanding improvement. And soon.

"Just keep moving forward. It's not just 'Let's get games into these kids' or 'Let's hope (Jeremy) McGovern plays well'.

"We need to get better, all of us.

"We need to get these things right around the fundamentals.

"We don't want to kick three goals."

There were small signs of life, with Simpson noting his side will win games if they keep having 51 inside 50s each week.

But the 2018 West Coast premiership coach is imploring Eagles fans to stay the course as they develop a team that has some quality senior players, some talented youth, and not much in between.

"We've had plenty of good times over the years and right now, we just to stick fat and try to get better," he said.

"This is my life, this is what we do, this is how we live. You have to have resilience. To get resilient, you need to be resilient - I don't know if that makes sense.

"We want to get better. We're not happy with the first three rounds, not at all.

"We think looking longer-term, we're heading in the right direction, but short-term, we want to see some improvement."

McGovern starred in defence, while Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly were solid in the midfield on another dirty day for West Coast.