MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Nic Naitanui of the Eagles looks on during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Considering the impact that many thought the Eagles would have on the 2020 finals, a first week exit at the hands of the Pies marred their season.
The Eagles were looking good for most of the season before multiple losses booted them out of the top four and into sudden death territory.
Lucky for Adam Simpson, he still has bounds of quality to play with to have a red hot crack at 2021.
Round 8 vs Collingwood: Although it was a game that the Eagles were expected to win, an 11 goal drubbing of the Pies never loses its shine.
The Pies were severely undermanned, but that didn't stop Josh J. Kennedy kicking seven goals and Tim Kelly playing arguably his best game at West Coast.
Elimination final vs Collingwood: The second meeting between the clubs went drastically different to their home-and-away contest.
In what was dubbed an 'unwinnable' game for Nathan Buckley's side, they somehow pulled through at the expense of the Eagles, who went down by a point in soul-shattering circumstances.
Nic Naitanui: The All-Australian ruckman was in frightening form for much of the season and was vastly superior to his opposition week in week out. He averaged 29 hitouts per game, as well as 5.6 clearances. Simply stunning numbers for a two metre tall player.
Liam Ryan: The high-flyer was always a sight to behold whenever he played, but his 2020 season was something to behold. The way that the 24-year-old moves and consistently takes marks which lift spectators out of their chair makes him the most exciting player in the game. The sky is the limit for 'Flyin' Ryan'.
Jarrod Brander: The 6'5" tall man was put on the wing in the 2020 season, but never got the ball rolling as a result of injury. Although he can't help it, this is his third season at the club and he has failed to break into their best 22. Will need to put in the hard yards in the off-season to get up to scratch for 2021.
In
Zac Langdon (GWS)
Alex Witherden (Brisbane)
Pick 58 (Sydney)
Pick 62 (Sydney)
Future 2nd-round (Sydney)
Future 3rd-round (Sydney)
Pick 86 (Brisbane)
Out
Tom Hickey (Sydney)
Pick 34
Pick 60
Pick 58 (Brisbane)
Future 3rd-round pick (Brisbane)
Pick 54 (GWS)
The way that the 2020 season ended shows that the Eagles do need to work on some things during the off-season.
However, the arrival of two guns in the form of Langdon and Witherden solidifies Adam Simpson's plans for the future, and instantly improves the Eagles squad.
West Coast should not accept anything less than a top-four place. A home final would be ideal but the double chance is all they'd be aiming for.
If they get the double chance, who knows what could happen with the talent they have.