Best 22 – round one
B: Brad Sheppard, Tom Barrass, Tom Cole
HB: Liam Duggan, Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn
C: Lewis Jetta, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff
HF: Liam Ryan, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps
F: Mark LeCras, Jake Waterman, Willie Rioli
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Jack Redden
I/C: Scott Lycett, Dom Sheed, Mark Hutchings, Daniel Venables
Emerg: Brayden Ainsworth, Fraser McInnes, Jarrod Brander, Jackson Nelson
Fans' season preview: West Coast
2017 best and fairest top three
1. Elliot Yeo
2. Jeremy McGovern
3. Luke Shuey
Injury list
Some key Eagles have encountered issues over summer but all eyes have been on West Coast's two most important players Nic Naitanui (knee) and Josh Kennedy (ankle). Kennedy has already ruled himself out until round three, although Naitanui is pushing to return in the season-opener. Nathan Vardy's adductor injury has put the Eagles' ruck stocks under pressure, while veteran full-back Eric Mackenzie (toe) might not be seen until the second half of the season.
The big questions
What impact will Nic Naitanui have when he returns?
Although he hasn't played at AFL level since round 22, 2016 the star ruckman should still give the Eagles a boost in their clearance and contested ball work. If Naitanui can play the majority of the year and get through unscathed it would be a positive result.
How can the engine room compete with the AFL's best midfields?
There's no doubt it will be a challenge and West Coast needs a lot to go right. Elliot Yeo was a star at half-back and hopes to hit the same heights in the middle, while Liam Duggan, Jack Redden and Dom Sheed must all step up. A fit and firing Naitanui would be a bonus.
Is West Coast a finals contender or in a mini-rebuild?
The Eagles aim to compete for the top-eight every year and that will be no different in 2018. An influx of youth and a new era at Optus Stadium is exciting but it will be a massive challenge to regenerate the list on the run and still qualify for September action.
Look for…
You won't have to look too hard but the hype around the blockbuster season-opener at Optus Stadium will be at fever-pitch if Nic Naitanui makes his return 19 months after rupturing his ACL. The morale boost it would give his teammates early in the year would be immeasurable, especially if he can show signs he is still the spring-heeled ruckman and ground-level bull of old.
Who they play
The Eagles have one of the toughest fixtures, and it could be tricky early with Sydney, the Bulldogs (away) and Geelong to kick things off. Double-up games against Greater Western Sydney, the Swans and Dogs could seriously test Adam Simpson's evolving outfit. Much will depend on the Eagles' ability to turn Optus Stadium into a home fortress.
Daniel Venables is one of the next generation of West Coast midfielders. Picture: AFL Photos
Fantasy cash cow
The Eagles see Liam Duggan as a major part of their future and were thrilled to lock him away on a three-year contract extension. The 21-year-old cemented himself in the best line-up last year across half-back but is earmarked for an expanded midfield role after the retirements of Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell. Duggan racked up 24 touches and 83 AFL Fantasy points in the final JLT clash against Fremantle and, at $475,000, he could be a valuable pick up for coaches.
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Sudden impact
One of fans' main gripes last year was the lack of new blood but injuries played a big part in that and there will be an influx of kids this year. Jake Waterman, Willie Rioli, Liam Ryan, Brayden Ainsworth, Jarrod Brander and Daniel Venables are all in the mix for round one, while dashing defender Francis Watson is showing promising signs. They will take time but it is a talented group.
It's crunch time for…
Chris Masten. The former No.3 draft pick fell out of favour last year and is obviously still on the outer after failing to get a game in the JLT Community Series, despite the Eagles' remodeled midfield brigade. He has two seasons to run on his contract, so he could turn things around, but Masten would need to consistently dominate at East Perth first.
Chris Masten still has two years remaining on his contract. Picture: AFL Photos
Pressure rating on the coach
Simmering on the backburner. Adam Simpson is contracted until 2019 and is overseeing a regeneration of the list, so expectations have cooled.
The 2017 habit the Eagles must kick…
Is getting beaten up in clearances and contested possessions. The Eagles' defence was under siege at times last year and the forwards were left twiddling their thumbs too often. Eradicating fourth-quarter fadeouts was another bad habit.
The Eagles will have a good year if…
Nic Naitanui returns to somewhere near his best, the next wave of midfielders step up, Josh Kennedy kicks 70-plus goals, the kids earn their spots and Jeremy McGovern signs long-term.
They’re in trouble if …
The ruck stocks take any more hits, especially if it's Naitanui, and if Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy and Jeremy McGovern miss chunks of the season.
Pass mark
It's tough to judge exactly where the Eagles are at – especially with queries on Naitanui and Kennedy's preparations - but if they can avoid plummeting down the ladder and are in finals contention late in the year it would be a decent result.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 12th
Player Ratings star
Luke Shuey, 11th. Shuey started well last year and climbed to the brink of the top-10, dipped mid-season but reclaimed 11th spot with a strong finish. The vice-captain is critically important to West Coast.
