Nick Dal Santo has run the rule over West Coast ahead of the 2021 season.
The Eagles have failed to make the top four in the past two seasons which has ultimately killed their premiership hopes.
Dal Santo believes solving that problem should be one of three New Year’s resolutions for the Eagles this year.
Finish in the top four
“There’s a New Year’s resolution - finish where you should finish,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Their list is good enough, their quality players are good enough, their best football is clearly good enough, it’s exceptional.
“They had those massive lapses when they were away from home last year. It ultimately cost them. The year before they lose to the Hawks in the last round of the year and finished fifth.
“They are better than what they’ve been the last couple of years. You need to finish top four, we know why, but for them maybe more than anybody.”
Dal Santo also picked out a couple of individuals who could be central to the club’s flag chances in 2021.
Oscar Allen to be ‘put in the slot’
“You’ve got really good players around him in (Jack) Darling and (Josh) Kennedy. He is good enough to be the main man in their forward line,” he added.
“Kennedy’s at the back-end of his career, Darling’s got a little bit longer, but he (Allen) is a really good player.
“Oscar Allen is not only your future but he is ready to go right now. He has got attributes and ability that few others have.
“I’d love to see Oscar Allen by the end of this season be their number one forward.”
Nic Naitanui to lead more dominant midfield
“I’m going to finish off with their ruckman, Nic Nat,” he said further.
“As good as he is, I still see them getting more out of their midfield.
“You’ve got a man who can do, simply put, what no one else can do in the competition. I’d love to see them dominate, go to another level, make the opposition completely change their structure off the back of what he does at stoppages.
“The opposition has to be more defensive, you can’t be as proactive, you’re always assessing what West Coast’s midfield is doing.
“I know Nic Nat has a handful of taps a game, I’d love to see them just throw caution to the wind. Rip this competition apart with your stoppage work.
“They are very good in that area but there’s more to come.
“If they get that right on the back of what I’ve just said on the forward line, on the back of Tim Kelly finding his feet a little bit more than what he did last year, there’s no reason they’re not playing the last game of the year.”
The Eagles finished the 2020 home and away season in fifth position before losing to Collingwood by one point in the Elimination Final.
They kick off the 2021 season proper against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on March 21.