Alright, let’s just say it: the West Coast Eagles didn’t exactly sneak into the AFL — they crash-landed, feathers everywhere, and then just started collecting premierships like they were going out of fashion. 1987 rolls around, suddenly these blokes are winning flags in ‘92, ‘94, 2006, and, you know, 2018 just for good measure. Along the way, they didn’t just win games, they cranked out absolute legends — guys you’d want in the trenches with you, or at least sharing a beer after the siren. Here’s my take on the all-time West Coast Eagles team: the blokes who didn’t just play footy, they were footy in the west.
Full Back Line
- Ashley McIntosh – Could play on a giraffe or a greyhound and still win. Honestly, the guy was a brick wall with legs.
- Glen Jakovich – You want centre half-back? You want “Jako.” Four-time Club Champ, took on Wayne Carey and didn’t blink. Their battles? Footy soap opera.
- Darren Glass – Mr. Reliable. Not flashy, but geez, you’d trust him with your life — or at least your backline.
Half Back Line
- Guy McKenna – “Bluey” just oozed cool under pressure. Footy IQ through the roof. Never flustered, always a step ahead.
- Michael Brennan – First flag captain, first bloke you’d want next to you when things got hairy. Proper leader.
- Chris Lewis – Pure electricity. Blazed a trail for Indigenous stars and did it with that extra bit of swagger.
Midfield & Wings
- Peter Matera – Mate, five goals in a Grand Final — say no more. Changed what people thought a wingman could do. Fast, creative, a nightmare to tag.
- Chris Mainwaring – The fans worshipped him, and for good reason. Ran all day, heart the size of WA, and a mullet you could spot from space.
- Dean Kemp – Silky smooth. Never wasted a touch, especially when it counted. Finals specialist.
- Chris Judd – Blink and you’d miss him. Two seasons of pure chaos — Brownlow in ‘04, and every burst from a stoppage felt like a lightning strike.
- Ben Cousins – Say what you want, but on the field, the guy was a machine. Ran like he’d swallowed a Duracell, Brownlow, captain, always up for the big moments.
Ruck
- Dean Cox – Not just a ruckman, a revolution. Could’ve played as a midfielder if he wanted, and six All-Australians says it all.
Half Forward Line
- Brett Heady – Turned up big in finals. Some players go missing — Heady went wild.
- Andrew Embley – Norm Smith in ‘06, could play anywhere, and usually did something match-winning.
- Mark LeCras – Dead-eye Dick. Over 400 goals, and if you left him alone inside 50, you were toast.
Full Forward Line
- Phil Matera – Little terrier, always sniffing out a goal. Quick, dangerous, and he loved a celebration.
- Josh Kennedy – All-time leading goalkicker, beard game on point, and basically carried the forward line for a decade.
- Peter Sumich – First Eagle to the ton (100 goals in a season), set the bar for every forward who came after.
Interchange Bench
- Daniel Kerr – Absolute pitbull in the guts. Didn’t care who you were, he was getting that footy.
- John Worsfold – The soul of the club. Led the first two premierships, then coached the 2006 flag. Basically, Mr. West Coast.
- Luke Shuey – Norm Smith in 2018. Ice in his veins, especially when it mattered most.
- Shannon Hurn – Kick like a laser-guided missile. Captained the 2018 flag side, never took a backwards step.
Coach
- Mick Malthouse – The original master tactician. Built a fortress, won two flags, and probably still has nightmares about the wind at Subiaco.
Why These Legends Matter
So, what actually makes a legend? It’s not just the stats or the highlight reels — though, yeah, those are nice. It’s Peter Matera breaking hearts (and ankles) in a Grand Final. It’s Juddy exploding out of a pack like he’s late for the train. It’s Kennedy lining up for goal and 60,000 people holding their breath. It’s guys like Worsfold or Glass, just steely-eyed and unflappable while the world is going nuts around them. And it’s the moments, right? Subiaco or Optus Stadium absolutely rocking, blue and gold everywhere, and you just know you’re watching something special.
The truth? These Eagles aren’t just footballers, they’re the keepers of WA’s footy soul. They connect generations, they set standards, and they make you proud to wear the scarf, rain or shine. Legends, every damn one of them.
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