Chief football writer at The Age, Jake Niall, believes West Coast’s efforts to win last season’s premiership have been undersold.
The Eagles claimed their fourth flag and first since 2006 after defeating Collingwood by five points in a thrilling Grand Final, thanks largely to a Dom Sheed goal late in the final quarter.
Niall explained why Adam Simpson’s side should sit higher in people’s calculations when comparing them to premiership teams from the past.
“When people look at the Eagles and were they sat as a premier, I think they should sit much higher than I think people would rate them,” Niall told SEN Afternoons.
“They beat the Collingwood footy club three times in a season - including twice in Melbourne and obviously the Grand Final, they beat Richmond easily over there - they were 13-0 with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling both playing.
“This was an exceptional premier, of course the margins are small in footy, but I think their efforts have been a bit undersold.
"I think we here in Melbourne don’t really get the travel part of what those teams go through.”
West Coast open their premiership defence against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on March 23.
Listen to Jake Niall’s chat on SEN Afternoons with Kris McKenzie in the player below