SEE THE PICS: West Coast Eagles players hit Cottesloe as they look to stop the rot in key clash with Richmond

West Coast are not hiding away from their latest demoralising defeat and looked in good spirits as they hit Cottesloe ahead of a big game against Richmond. The Eagles are coming off a record-equalling 101-point defeat to St Kilda at Marvel, their second 100-point loss of the season, with attention now turning to Saturday’s home clash against the winless Tigers. There had been hope West Coast had finally turned a corner after consecutive wins over North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, but four straight smashings have quickly washed away that optimism. However, the group was keen to be seen sticking together as they braved Perth’s wintry weather to hit the surf at Cottesloe Beach on Tuesday morning. The bulk of the Eagles team, including stars Harley Reid and Jake Waterman, were joined by coach Andrew McQualter and assistant Luke Shuey as they walked along the strip, grabbing coffees at Il Lido before heading to Cottesloe Footy Club. Pleasingly for West Coast’s under-siege defence, key defender Harry Edwards was among the squad as he closes in on a playing return from concussion. The Eagles ran through some light drills before walking along the golf course. It comes ahead of what looms as a must-win game at Optus Stadium on Saturday if they are to stop their season from spiralling out of control. The Tigers are the only team with a worse percentage than West Coast, but beat the Eagles in both encounters last year, including a 49-point belting at Optus Stadium that helped condemn the WA side to a one-win season. The clash will also be celebrating the Eagles’ 40th year in the AFL and the 20-year reunion of their 2006 premiership-winning side, and West Coast are under pressure to show something for their beleaguered fan base.