In their 29 years the West Coast Eagles have seen three premierships, three Brownlow Medals, four Norm Smith Medals and 19 finals appearances to establish the club as a powerhouse both on and off the field.
In the wake of AFL icon Chris Judd’s retirement, talk once agains turns to who is the greatest Eagle of all time.
There are plenty of candidates, it’s almost impossible to split them, but here are my top five greatest Eagles:
5. Glen Jakovich
If not for a knee reconstruction in 1996, he could well have been the Eagles’ first 300 gamer. He will be forever remembered for his epic battles with Wayne Carey.
Career: 276 games, All Australian (94, 95), best and fairest (93-95), Premiership player (92, 94).
4. Ben Cousins
Many West Coast fans would argue this man is the greatest Eagle of all time and he’s certainly got the CV to back it up. He was as exciting as they came, body of a god, and skills and speed to die for, Cousins was one of the best in full flight.
Career: 238 games, 205 goals, six times All Australian, AFL rising star 1996, 4 times best and fairest, captain (2001-05), Brownlow 2005, Leigh Matthews Trophy 2005, Western Australia sports star of the year award 2005, Premiership player 2006.
3. Dean Cox
Quite possibly the greatest ruckman the great game has ever seen, Coxy reinvented the way ruckmen went about the game and for quite some time was just an extra midfielder who stood 203cm tall. If it had not been for injury in 2006 he would’ve given the Brownlow a shake.
Career: 290 games, 169 goals, six times All Australian, best clubman 2006, best and fairest 2008, Premiership player 2006.
2. Chris Judd
Some players do things in games are etched in your mind forever, and Judd did that nearly every week at West Coast – he was a human highlights reel.
West Coast fans loved him as he played the best first 100 games ever.
West Coast career: 134 games, 138 goals, 2006 premiership player, Brownlow 2004, AFLPA MVP 2006, best and fairest (04, 06), Norm Smith Medal 2005, AFLPA Best First Year Player 2002, Ross Glendinning Medal (2005, 2005, 2006), club captain (2006-07).
1. Peter Matera
Peter Matera’s CV doesn’t measure up to the likes of Judd, Cousins or Cox, but the things he did on the field were just phenomenal.
He was a player who could change a game in the blink of an eye and was just a joy to watch.
Career: 253 games, 218 goals, five times All Australian, best and fairest 1997, Brownlow runner-up (94 and 97) Premiership player (92, 94) Norm Smith Medallist 1992, Indigenous team of the century 2005.
For a club only 29 years old it’s not a bad little history the Eagles have built.
Rounding out the top 10
6. Dean Kemp
7. Guy McKenna
8. John Worsfold
9. Ashley McIntosh
10. Darren Glass
Honourable mentions
Chris Mainwaring, Chris Lewis, Daniel Kerr, Peter Sumich, Brett Heady, Drew Banfield, Phil Matera.
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The strength of the number one draft pick was impressive to floor Zach Merrett and Ben Hobbs in the one play.
Jake Kelly was left red-faced after Campbell Chesser pounced and stole an unlikely goal.
The Bomber gave away a 50-metre penalty for interfering with the mark from Bailey Williams leading to a goal.
Dyson Heppell wanted to come after the top draft pick, but his Eagles' teammate stood in the way.
Apparently, the Eagles forward has embraced the nickname too after the commentators compared his style to big Fraser Gehrig!
