West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has thrown his support behind debutant Sandy Brock after the defender received a harsh welcome to the big time, matching up on spearhead Jesse Hogan, who would go on to kick a career-high-equalling nine goals.
Brock, formerly listed at the Gold Coast Suns, was signed as a Supplemental Selection Period prospect over the summer, and was announced to debut after the Eagles dropped emerging key backman Harry Edwards.
However, the 22-year-old was thrown into the deep end to begin his career, with a stacked Giants forward line tearing apart the Eagles' defence, while Brock was brutally handed the reigning Coleman medallist as his direct opponent.
Despite conceding nine goals, plus a goal assist, coach McQualter was satisfied with Brock's first-up efforts on Sunday, admitting the Giants' untouched transition didn't aid Brock in any way.
"He (Hogan) took six contested marks. It's an easy one to say now I suppose," McQualter said on the decision to drop Edwards.
"This is going to sound crazy, but I thought Sandy Brock actually defended quite well and showed some moments.
"But their class, their supply, and (Hogan's) talent was just a bit too much for us at times.
"I'm sure Sandy hasn't got everything right, but I think ultimately when you have that much ease with your flow of balls through the middle of the ground, we could put Stephen Silvagni on him in the backline and he still would have kicked a few today."
After an 0-4 start to the season, the Eagles will take on another winless side in Carlton at Gather Round.
