There has been plenty of false dawns and disappointment for West Coast since the pandemic.
But the days of the Eagles being easy prey appear to be over – particularly at home.
After two 100-point losses in the first seven rounds of the season, the Eagles have not been beaten by more than 32 points in their last seven games and have some winnable contests on the run home.
They are starting to play an identifiable brand and there is light at the end of the tunnel with the litany of top draft picks showing they can carry the club forward.
It will help in their pursuit of players from other clubs in the trade and free agency window in October, with several Western Australians viewed as gettable able to give them a quick spike.
Take a look at five of the top names the Eagles have been tied to.
Chad Warner
Warner was firmly in the sights of both Western Australian clubs to return home from Sydney last year before making a decision to recommit to the Swans for a further two years.
He admitted at the time the decision was lineball and West Coast should again be knocking to give them more star power in the midfield.
Granted, keeping Harley Reid long term is a separate issue, but the potential for a Reid, Willem Duursma and Chad Warner midfield sounds dangerous – and giving Reid a running mate may lure him to stay.
In the Eagles' favour now compared to last year though, is that success seems nearer given the more competitive showings and individual success of many of the young players.
Equally, though, he is a key part of a midfield which could win a premiership this year and will likely remain in contention for the short term, so giving that up would be a huge call.
Many contract decisions come after years of building a relationship and the Eagles have been thereabouts for some time.
Mitch Georgiades
Like Warner, Georgiades is a Western Australian West Coast have previously been strongly linked to.
No player has had more set shots on goal than Georgiades and he would provide experience to the Eagles' front end.
“I love it here, I love what we're building as a club…I feel like I am stepping up as a leader and taking this club forward a little bit, so I'm not focused too far ahead in the future,” he told reporters in April.
But with the future seemingly bleak for Port Adelaide, would the 24-year-old prefer to find a club further advanced in their rebuild in his home state?
West Coast is being spearheaded by Jake Waterman and Jobe Shanahan currently, but Fremantle and Adelaide are among the clubs to show how potent a three pronged tall forward line can be – could Georgiades be that piece for the Eagles?
Arty Jones
A lively small forward currently enjoying a career-best campaign, he addresses a key need for the Eagles who are sorely lacking an energetic presence inside 50.
Jamie Cripps is sidelined with injury and nearing the end of his career, Harvey Johnston has been axed for this week and Tom Gross has played just once in 2026, while Malakai Champion, despite showing promise, has not been a goal kicker when he has played AFL.
Out of contract at the end of this season, he will enter his sixth year in 2027 and his speed and ability to make things happen would be of great benefit to the Eagles.
Trent Rivers
Has spent time in the VFL across the past 12 months and while some of that is because he hasn't been fully fit, he is one who could have an increased role at West Coast. A Western Australian, he would bounce off half-back and has the capacity to inject energy into the midfield mix.
With more than 100 games of experience under his belt, he suits West Coast's demographic perfectly and comes out of contract at the end of next year.
Melbourne's spike this year may incentivise him to stay and push for another premiership in the red and blue but there has been speculation for multiple years he would be keen for a return home at some stage in his career.
Joel Jeffrey
The Gold Coast half-back's name has been frequently thrown up in trade discussion in recent weeks with West Coast an interested party.
He would offer clean skills and ball-use off half-back which has been on show throughout 2026.
At Gold Coast, he is stuck behind Daniel Rioli, John Noble and arguably even Bodhi Uwland as back half distributors, but would have a much more prominent role if he moved home.
The 192cm defender has become a staple for the Suns in the last 18 months and Gold Coast look to have finally built a strong squad which can content, but with multiple of his teammates considering their future, could he look for a fresh start at a more stable club?
