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In what was a grand final to forget for many West Coast players, there may be an upside to their 46-point loss to Hawthorn.
In fact, all things considered, the future looks particularly rosy for the Eagles.
They’re young, have now experienced the heat of a grand final, and are set to welcome back their 2014 best and fairest winner – Eric Mackenzie – after an injury derailed his 2015 campaign.
Here are five reasons Eagles fans should continue to show the faith in 2016.
1. The age factor
The average age of the Eagles team that played in the grand final was 25 years and six months old, almost two years younger that the squad Hawthorn fielded.
What’s more, the Eagles only had one player – Matthew Priddis – who was over 30. Hawthorn, on the other hand, had six players – Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson, Shuan Burgoyne, David Hale and Brian Lake – who were into their fourth decade.
Intrinsically, what this means for the Eagles is that they now have a core group of players capable of creating a three-year window or more where they can dominate the competition without fear of retirement from several key players.
Elliot Yeo (22), Jeremy McGovern (23), Dom Sheed (20), Jack Darling (23) and Andrew Gaff (23) all have their best football ahead of them.
2. The grand final experience factor
Some Eagles, such as Darling and Josh Kennedy, played their worst game of the season in the grand final. Darling’s dropped mark in the third quarter – likened to Herschelle Gibbs’ dropped catch in the 1999 Cricket World Cup – swung the momentum of the game back in the Hawks’ favour when the Eagles were only just gaining the ascendancy.
Yet, for all the disappointment that mark would have caused Darling, he will be better for the experience. So, too, the goalless Kennedy.
Several Hawks playing in their first grand final in 2012 – such as Jack Gunston and Paul Puopolo – were overawed by the experience, but have since gone on to play pivotal roles in the Hawks’ past three premierships.
3. The Simpson factor
Adam Simpson was unlucky not to be anointed Coach of the Year after lifting the Eagles from ninth in 2014 to a grand final appearance a year later, in what was only his second year as a senior coach.
A protégé of the insurmountable Alastair Clarkson, Simpson will learn from the grand final loss just like his players. Only two weeks prior to the grand final loss, the Eagles bullied Hawthorn into submission, defeating the eventual premiers by 32 points. That alone should instil Simpson with the confidence that his team is on the right track to a premiership.
4. The injured players factor
Let’s not forget that the Eagles’ 2014 best and fairest, Mackenzie, was not only watching the grand final from the stands, but had also been out of action for the entirety of 2015 after tearing his ACL in a pre-season match. Fellow defender Mitch Brown was also out injured for the majority of the season.
While the Eagles covered for these losses well, there’s no question that they will benefit from the addition of some experience in defence next season. Mackenzie, in particular, will add class to the Eagles’ defence – not that it was lacking this year.
The combination of McGovern and Mackenzie in the backline should be a tantalising prospect for West Coast supporters.
5. Hawthorn has to fade at some point factor
Perhaps this is more of a hope. But sometimes you have to hope.
It seems ridiculous writing the Hawks off on age alone, but some of the players integral to their success are on the wrong side of 30, two of whom – Lake and Hale – have since retired after last Saturday’s grand final.
The last team to win three premierships in a row – Brisbane from 2001-2003 – made the grand final again in 2004, but were beaten by Port Adelaide. The next season they plummeted spectacularly and finished in 11th position.
The drop off surely won’t be as steep for the Hawks, but they will have to drop at some stage in the foreseeable future.
If Simpson and his team can harness their grand final disappointment and capitalise on their youth, it’s very possible that they can create some kind of football dynasty.
Fear not, Eagles fans. The future looks bright.
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