A New Dawn for the West Coast Eagles
They say two swallows don’t make a summer, but two Eagles wins do make the league’s sleeping giant an attractive proposition once again. After going through one of the worst periods performance-wise that a team in the modern-era has gone through, West Coast looks to have taken a step forward for the first time since the start of the decade.
Since their last finals appearance in 2020, the Eagles slowly declined for a season before a rapid drop via self-destruction as the team was battered from pillar to post. There was the 171-point mauling by Sydney at the SCG in 2023. The sacking of premiership coach Adam Simpson. The one-win season in 2025 and plenty more dark moments that have filled Eagles fans’ news feeds in recent years.
However, West Coast supporters have proved their worth as arguably the most loyal fans in the league by turning out in numbers at every home game, despite the on-field performances not doing their love and belief justice. But that might soon be over.
The Eagles are a sleeping juggernaut and after winning consecutive games for the first time since 2024, they have already become the topic of conversation for some of the hottest talent across the league as they look to escape the league’s cellar.
A Club with a Rich History and Bright Future
Boasting over 100,000 members (with a mile-long reserve seat wait list) for six years running, having the equal-second most premiership success in the modern-era (tied with Geelong on four flags) and the young talent cornucopia of Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Jobe Shanahan and more – West Coast has once again become a destination club.
After the club’s back-to-back wins against North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, talk of trade interest for West Coast has already caught fire. Home-grown Western Australian talent such as Port’s Mitch Georgiades, Melbourne’s Trent Rivers and Sydney super star Chad Warner have already emerged as potential players for Andrew McQualter and his list management team to target.
The Off-Field Strength of the Eagles
The size of West Coast as a club off-field will play a key role as it looks to move past its rebuild phase and ahead of clubs such as North Melbourne, Richmond and Essendon who have struggled throughout a similar period. West Coast’s expected ability to attract marquee players off the back of small steps forward will be looked on with envy by the likes of North Melbourne and St Kilda, who as smaller clubs struggle to attract big names unless they pay exorbitant contracts both in length and money.
Eagles fans, once notoriously arrogant in nature about their club, will soon – if not already – feel that swathe of confidence brewing that their days in the darkness may soon be over. That with a few more draft selections, a couple of possible high-profile trades and the Eagles will soon be back in the wildcard and finals picture.
The Impact of Tasmania’s Entry into the League
And with Tasmania entering the competition in 2028 and dirtying the draft waters for the next couple of seasons, West Coast’s return to relevancy may be a Houdini-esque escape from years of disappointment. The club is now positioned to take full advantage of the new opportunities that come with the expansion, potentially strengthening their position in the league and re-establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
As the Eagles continue their journey back to prominence, the support from their passionate fanbase remains a crucial element in their resurgence. With the right mix of talent, strategy, and continued dedication, the West Coast Eagles are well on their way to reclaiming their place among the league’s elite.
