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The '''West Coast Eagles''' are an [[Australian rules football]] club based in [[Subiaco, Western Australia|Subiaco]], [[Western Australia]], currently playing in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL). Representing the [[Australian states and territories|Australian state]] of [[Western Australia]], in particular the [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] metropolitan region, the club trains and plays its home games at [[Subiaco Oval]], having previously also played matches at the [[WACA Ground]]. The club is one of two Australian Football League clubs based in Western Australia, with the other being the [[Fremantle Football Club]]. |
The '''West Coast Eagles''' are an [[Australian rules football]] club based in [[Subiaco, Western Australia|Subiaco]], [[Western Australia]], currently playing in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL). Representing the [[Australian states and territories|Australian state]] of [[Western Australia]], in particular the [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] metropolitan region, the club trains and plays its home games at [[Subiaco Oval]], having previously also played matches at the [[WACA Ground]]. The club is one of two Australian Football League clubs based in Western Australia, with the other being the [[Fremantle Football Club]]. |
Revision as of 05:43, 24 April 2012
West Coast Eagles | |
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Names | |
Full name | West Coast Eagles |
Nickname(s) | Eagles |
2012 season | |
Pre-season | Runner-up |
Club details | |
Founded | 1986 |
Colours | Navy blue, gold, and white |
Competition | Australian Football League (AFL) |
Chairman | Alan Cransberg |
CEO | Trevor Nisbett |
Coach | John Worsfold |
Captain(s) | Darren Glass |
Premierships | Three (1992, 1994, 2006) |
Ground(s) | Subiaco Oval (capacity: 43,600) |
Former ground(s) | WACA Ground (1987–2000) |
Other information | |
Official website | www.westcoasteagles.com.au |
Guernsey: | |
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club based in Subiaco, Western Australia, currently playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). Representing the Australian state of Western Australia, in particular the Perth metropolitan region, the club trains and plays its home games at Subiaco Oval, having previously also played matches at the WACA Ground. The club is one of two Australian Football League clubs based in Western Australia, with the other being the Fremantle Football Club.
The club was founded in 1986 as an expansion team, and entered the competition the following season, along with the Brisbane Bears, making the finals series for the first time in 1988. West Coast won its first premiership in 1992, after being defeated in the grand final the previous year, winning two more in 1994 and 2006. In 2011, the Eagles finished fourth to make the finals for the first time since 2007, having won the wooden spoon after finishing last in 2010. The club is currently one of the wealthiest[1] and most-supported[2] teams in the AFL. The current coach of the club is John Worsfold, and the current captain Darren Glass, who have filled their roles since 2002 and 2008, respectively.
History
Formation and first years: 1987–1990
Formed in 1986, the West Coast Eagles were given only 160 days to assemble a team and establish an infrastructure for its inaugural season, 1987. The club appointed Ron Alexander as its first head coach on 22 September 1986 and revealed its 32-men squad for its first season on 30 October that year.[3]
The club's first official home and away match at Subiaco Oval against Richmond on 29 March 1987 was played before a crowd of 23,897. The fledgling Eagles, down by 33 points at the final change, somehow managed to outscore the visiting and tiring Tigers nine goals to one in the final term to run out 14 point winners – a club record last quarter comeback that lasted until round 10 of 2006.[4] By season's end, the club had split its games with eleven wins and eleven losses for a seventh place finish, but despite this quite respectable effort, inaugural coach Ron Alexander was sacked from the position and replaced with WA coaching legend John Todd.
The 1988 season saw the Eagles improve to become one of the strongest teams of the competition, finishing the home and away season in fourth, before narrowly losing the Elimination Final to Melbourne by two points. Despite this loss, the mood was upbeat at the club for the future, although it was the last game for inaugural captain Glendinning.[5]
However, the 1989 season put the club under a lot of pressure. Injuries and poor form led to the club only winning two matches in the first fifteen rounds of the season, culminating in the "Windy Hill Massacre", where the Eagles lost by a club record 142 points to Essendon. In the nadir of this season, with major financial problems besetting the club and a bleak outlook, there was even talk of disbanding the club and reverting back to the WAFL as the senior competition in Western Australia. However, the Eagles rallied with five wins in the last seven weeks of the season. While it was enough to stave off the wolves, it was not enough to keep John Todd in the role of senior coach, nor allow first year captain Murray Rance to retain the role.
Malthouse arrival and first Grand Final: 1990–1991
1991 AFL Home & Away Season | W | L | D | Total | % | ||||
West Coast | 19 | 3 | 0 | 76 | 162.2 | ||||
Minor Premiers |
As the VFL made way for the new AFL, the Eagles entered the 1990s with a new coach, Mick Malthouse, a Victorian recruited from Footscray, and a new captain in Steve Malaxos who had won the club's first club champion award in 1987. The change in leadership, and the rise of a few younger players, led to a resurgence at the club winning sixteen games on the way to a third place finish at the end of the home and away season. This led to a berth in the Qualifying Final against Collingwood, which resulted in a famous draw,[6] but the Eagles could not win the replay, and despite beating Melbourne in the First Semi Final, bowed out a fortnight later to Essendon in the Preliminary Final.
1991 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
Hawthorn | 20 | 19 | 139 |
West Coast | 13 | 8 | 86 |
Venue: Waverley Park | Crowd: 75,230[7] |
As 1991 started, out of favour captain Malaxos was replaced with youngster John Worsfold. That didn't seem to affect the club as the season saw what was probably the most dominant Eagles side, winning the first 12 games of the season and 19 in the home-and-away series (a record that still stands today) en route to the minor premiership--the first time a non-Victorian side had topped the ladder.[8] However, the young team struggled with the finals pressure exerted by such a dominant season, and while they made the 1991 AFL Grand Final, it was lost to Hawthorn by 53 points in front of a crowd of 75,230. It was the only Grand Final ever to be played at Waverley Park, and the first in the AFL to feature a non-Victorian side.
Premiership success: 1992–1994
1992 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
West Coast | 16 | 17 | 113 |
Geelong | 12 | 13 | 85 |
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Crowd: 95,007[7] |
The Eagles weren't as strong through the 1992 season, but managed to get a reasonable spot in the finals, winning a classic final against Hawthorn[9] on the way to a Grand Final appearance, this time against Geelong at the MCG. The Eagles struggled early in the match, trailing by as much as four goals, but ended up over-running the Cats to win by 28 points and claim the club's first ever premiership, with Peter Matera winning the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground. The 1992 Premiership was the first senior AFL premiership won by a team from outside Victoria.
1994 AFL Home & Away Season | W | L | D | Total | % | ||||
West Coast | 16 | 6 | 0 | 64 | 132.2 | ||||
Minor Premiers |
The year of 1993 saw relatively little premiership points separate the finalists, and although West Coast were in the mix, the team never fully clicked across the season.
In 1994 the Eagles again won the minor premiership at the end of the home and away season – the clubs second McClelland Trophy.
1994 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
West Coast | 20 | 23 | 143 |
Geelong | 8 | 15 | 63 |
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Crowd: 93,860[7] |
This time they managed to carry the form through the finals series, despite a scare in the opening week of the finals when Collingwood nearly sneaked over the line in a close game at the WACA Ground. In the end the Eagles did not lose a match in the series, culminating in an 80 point thrashing of Geelong in the Grand Final for the club's second premiership. Dean Kemp was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground on this occasion.
New rivalry: 1995–1996
In 1995, a local AFL club rival the Fremantle Football Club was introduced to the WA football market, heightening competition for the West Australian audience and forming a fierce rivalry to become the Western Derby, a twice yearly encounter between the two clubs. The derby was for much of the 90s a West Coast affair, with the Eagles winning the first nine encounters before the Dockers finally won the later derby of 1999.
Meanwhile the club's performances on the field slipped a little from the heights of the early 90s, but never so far as to not make the finals. After bowing out quietly in 1995, the Eagles won their opening final in 1996, resulting in what would normally have been a home semi final against Essendon. However, due to what Eagles fans saw as a poorly constructed contract between the league and the MCG, the game was scheduled to be played at the MCG instead of Subiaco.[10] In all the furore the Eagles were comprehensively thrashed. On a brighter note, young Eagle Ben Cousins won the club's first AFL Rising Star award for the best rookie in the competition for 1996.[11]
Finals failure: 1997–1999
The 1997 and 1998 seasons saw the Eagles mostly making up numbers in the finals, bowing out early both years, with the most notable incident being when captain John Worsfold was dropped for what would have been his final appearance in the 1998 Semi Final;[12] oddly mirroring what happened to his predecessor in the role, Steve Malaxos, who was dropped for the 1990 Preliminary Final and never played for the club again.[13] Worsfold was replaced in the captaincy by his vice captain, Guy McKenna.
In the second week of the 1999 season the Eagles again found themselves in the situation where they earned a home final (after beating the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in the first week), but once again the MCG contract stripped the club of the right to host the final (the higher-ranked Brisbane Lions, who finished 3rd, kept its home final as a reward for finishing higher than the Eagles), and the Eagles faced Carlton and lost on the road.[14] This rule later cost the Adelaide Crows the right to host a Semi Final in 2002, and the Brisbane Lions a Preliminary Final in 2004 (both of which were played against Victorian opposition at the MCG) before it was finally abolished.
The 1999 season is probably more remembered for the continual rumours that linked coach Mick Malthouse to the senior coaching role at Collingwood; the rumours ended up being proven correct when Malthouse was released from his contract to the club for the 2000 season, to be replaced with Ken Judge. Also notable in 1999 was the first (and currently only) Eagle to top the AFL goalkicking, when Scott Cummings won the Coleman Medal with 95 goals but did not make the All Australian Team.[15]
Ken Judge failure: 2000–2001
The Eagles might have started Judge's reign as coach impressively, thrashing reigning premiers North Melbourne in the opening game of 2000, and winning two games by over 100 points in three weeks against Adelaide and Fremantle, but it was to turn sour quite quickly in the latter part of the 2000 season. Sitting at six wins and five losses at the half way point of the season, injury struck, and West Coast slumped to win only one more match for the season, and missing the finals for the first time since 1989, and another change of captaincy, as McKenna retired to be replaced with Dean Kemp and Ben Cousins as co-captains. The Eagles also introduced a much maligned ochre colour to their home and away uniforms in these years, which have since been abandoned for the more traditional uniforms worn in previous years.
However as bad as 2000 might have been, the 2001 season was even worse. In a shocking season, crueled by injury, older players falling away, and general mutterings of dissatisfaction, the club finished 14th. En route, they won only five matches for the entire year, all against other bottom four sides. Judge was sacked after the season, to be replaced in turn by former premiership captain John Worsfold
John Worsfold arrival: 2002–2004
Worsfold seemingly walked into an impossible situation in his first senior coaching role: a team that was widely tipped to slump further to the bottom of the ladder. Most fans would have been satisfied with just an improvement in performance, but Worsfold and his mostly young charges were almost unbeatable at home, and snuck a couple of crucial away wins to make an unexpected finals appearance on the back of an eleven-win – eleven-loss home and away season in 2002. The Eagles lost first up and were eliminated, but it was a sign of improvement to come. The 2002 season saw the debut of 2001 draft pick Chris Judd in its round two match against Collingwood.
The 2003 and 2004 seasons were opposites of each other. In 2003, the Eagles ran riot early, sitting in the high reaches of the ladder mid-season before injury took out the second part of the season and the club slumped to finish just inside the finals, and were bundled straight out; in 2004, the season was looking down the barrel early, but a dramatic late-season recovery saw the Eagles steal a spot in the finals in the last week of the home and away season, only to be thrashed in a thunderstorm by the Sydney Swans first up.
2004 however saw the first ever Eagle to win Australian Football's highest individual award, when Chris Judd won the Brownlow Medal in a canter. Previous best West Coast performances had been runner-up efforts from Craig Turley in 1991, Peter Matera in 1994 and 1997, and Ben Cousins in 2003.[16]
Sydney rivalry: 2005
Season 2005 saw the Eagles start by accounting for all opponents in the opening eight weeks before losing to then-bottom-placed Collingwood. The Eagles, however, recovered to be as much as five games clear, before a poor run home saw the club lose the final week and surrender the minor premiership to the Adelaide Crows. Despite this, the Eagles turned it around in the finals to make the Grand Final against the Sydney Swans. However, in reverse of the result in the 2005 Qualifying Final which the Eagles won by 4 points, the Swans managed to hold out the Eagles to win the low scoring encounter by four points. There was some consolation for Eagles fans with Chris Judd being awarded the Norm Smith medal in a losing side which, with captain Ben Cousins having already won the Brownlow Medal, highlighted the quality of the West Coast midfield.
Third premiership: 2006
2006 AFL Home & Away Season | W | L | D | Total | % | ||||
West Coast | 17 | 5 | 0 | 68 | 120.4 | ||||
Minor Premiers |
Despite promises to turn it around in 2006, the season looked set to start badly, with Cousins stripped of his captaincy, former All-Australian ruckman Michael Gardiner relegated to play at Claremont in the WAFL for continued indiscretions including drinking the night before a practise match and Ashley Sampi having some domestic trouble. Chris Judd was appointed to replace Cousins as expected, while Gardiner did make it back to the club to play a couple of games, before crashing his car whilst under the influence of alcohol[17] – which saw him made persona non grata at the club, and traded to St Kilda.
2006 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
West Coast | 12 | 13 | 85 |
Sydney | 12 | 12 | 84 |
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Crowd: 97,431[7] |
Despite all this, the Eagles started the season in fairly good form, winning eleven of the opening twelve matches, including a couple of notable comebacks; particularly a club record recovery against Geelong from 54 points down in the third quarter. The Eagles then struggled for a few weeks, slipping off the pace, before good late season form enabled them to win the minor premiership at the end of the season over a slipping Adelaide Crows, the clubs third McClelland Trophy.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/West_Coast_Eagles_2006_Premiers.jpg/220px-West_Coast_Eagles_2006_Premiers.jpg)
In the 2006 finals, the Eagles were favourites in every game and lost the opening match at Subiaco to Sydney by 1 point, but came back strong to thrash the Bulldogs in the Semi Final, and come from behind against the Crows in the Preliminary Final to book a berth in the Grand Final, once again against the Swans. The Grand Final ended up with a mirror of the 2006 Qualifying Final result between these two teams, the Eagles winning one of the great Grand Finals of recent years by a solitary point. The first Grand Final decided by this margin since 1966.[18] Andrew Embley was awarded the Norm Smith medal for best on ground.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
End of an era: 2007
The Eagles 2007 pre-season was the most turbulent in the club's history, with midfielder Daniel Kerr charged with assault for two separate incidents, and former captain (and 2005 Brownlow Medallist) Ben Cousins suspended from the club indefinitely after continued breaches of team rules, most notably not turning up to training, leading to massive amounts of speculative reporting in the media. Despite this, the Eagles started the season in good form, winning their opening 6 matches, including another one point victory over the Sydney Swans. However the Eagles of 2007 were nowhere near as dominant as those of 2005 or 2006. Instead, the Eagles spent much of the year in the bottom part of the top four, even slipping out of the top four at times. At the end of the season, the Eagles finished third on the ladder, drawing an away final at Port Adelaide in the opening week of the finals.
The Eagles finals series was cruelled by injuries to key players, something that had been quite common in the latter half of the season, exacerbated by a hamstring injury to Ben Cousins when leading Port Adelaide in the first week. Ultimately West Coast crashed out of the finals in straight sets, losing to Port by three points in the opening week before losing to Collingwood by 19 points in a highly exciting final that went into extra time for only the second time since the extra time rule had been implemented.[19]
In a blow to the club, premiership captain Chris Judd declared his intention to move back to his home city of Melbourne for the 2008 season, prompting much speculation over his final destination.[20]
Capping off an annus horribilis for the club, former Eagles champion Chris Mainwaring died on 1 October 2007, at his home, and his death was widely reported to be the result of drug-taking.[21][22] This became a major issue in the media, when it was revealed that Cousins had visited Mainwaring at his home the same night, just prior to his death. Cousins volunteered for a drug test following the event.[23] This – on top of Cousins' banishment, Chris Judd's departure and a string of minor incidents (such as Michael Braun's Western Derby speech stunt and the Adam Selwood incident involving Des Headland, all in the Western Derby) – contributed to an impression that 2007 was a disaster for the Eagles, despite a relatively successful year on the field. The view gained further resonance when Ben Cousins was sacked by the club on the 17 October 2007 after being arrested for drug possession and other offences the previous day.[24] On 19 November, the AFL Commission found Cousins guilty of "bringing the game into disrepute" and banned him from playing in the league for one year.[25]
Final misses: 2008–2010
These years saw the Eagles miss the finals three years in a row for the first time. At the end of the 2009 season, the Eagles won 4 out of their last 5 matches, including beating premiership contenders Western Bulldogs and ending their 20 loss streak for away matches and their 18 loss streak away from Paterson Stadium. Their 2010 season looked set to get better after a promising end to the 2009 season. However, the Eagles went downhill again and culminated in them 'winning' the 2010 wooden spoon, the first in the club's history, after winning only four games for the season.
By most accounts, the Eagles' tumble to the bottom of the ladder was in part because club management undertook a root-and-branch housecleaning in the wake of the Cousins affair. There had been rumours of a drug culture surrounding the club as early as 2005, and management reportedly shied away from certain players to avoid a repeat. Then-chairman Andrew Barnaba said that he would rather have "a very strong club" than a winner. Despite this, after the 2010 debacle, Worsfold's tenure as coach was thought to be on the nose.[26]
Breakthrough and return to success: 2011-present
The 2011 season started on a bright note for the West Coast Eagles with the club registering two wins to start the season: a narrow four-point victory over North Melbourne in the opening round of the season, and ending a 9-game losing streak at AAMI Stadium against Port Adelaide by 18 points in round 2. Their undefeated start to the season however came to a shuddering halt with a narrow 13-point defeat to their 2005/2006 Grand Final nemesis, the Sydney Swans, at home. This remained their only loss at home for the season.
They did, however, bounce back in the following two rounds; narrowly losing to one of the premiership favourites Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania and comfortably beating Melbourne at home by 9 goals. Round 7 saw the Eagles lose to a young Essendon outfit at Etihad Stadium by 16 points, after leading for majority of the match and Daniel Kerr picking up 28 disposals and a goal. The round 8 derby proved somewhat of an easy challenge as the Eagles overcame their cross-town rivals Fremantle by 33 points, despite missing stars Daniel Kerr and Andrew Embley due to injuries in the warm-up. Matthew Priddis won the Ross Glendinning Medal for best-on-ground in the derby. Round 9 saw the West Coast Eagles cruise to a 123 point win against the Western Bulldogs with a 10 goal to none final quarter. Josh Kennedy kicked 10 goals and Luke Shuey kicked 5 goals for the game.
It was announced on 12 April that West Coast would be dropping Hungry Jacks as a sponsor, ending a 25 year partnership. West Coast will form a new partnership with Bankwest,[27] which, ironically, were the former sponsors of cross town rivals Fremantle.
In round 14, the Eagles comfortably beat Carlton at Etihad Stadium by 36 points. In this match, Nic Naitanui took one of the marks of the year and this was the first game that the Eagles had beaten Carlton since former Eagles and current Carlton skipper Chris Judd left the Eagles at the end of the 2007.
Round 16 saw the Eagles defeat the ladder leaders Geelong in a thrilling 96–88 match, which had only been defeated in one game the whole season coming the week prior to Essendon. This created an excellent opportunity for the team to push into the top 4 sides on the AFL Ladder and secure a home final. It was their first win over the Cats since Round 10, 2006 and first at home since Round 2, 2005. At season's end, the West Coast Eagles finished 4th on the ladder taking the much valued double chance into the finals.
West Coast then entered its first finals campaign in four years, but lost its Qualifying Final against the defending premiers Collingwood. Granted a home final for finishing fourth at the end of the season, they then met Carlton in the second semi-final, and won a thriller by less than one goal after a late Carlton fightback stalled with only seconds remaining in the match. The Eagles' season of improvement then finished on a disappointing note losing convincingly to the eventual premiers Geelong whom they had beaten in Round 16 of the season.
The Eagles' jump from 16th to fourth is currently the equal most amount of spots gained over one season; thus, the Eagles became the first team since the Brisbane Lions of 1998-1999 to reach a preliminary final twelve months after winning a wooden spoon.
West Coast have had a strong start to 2012, first defeating the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne in the first round before hammering perennial AFL strugglers Melbourne by 108 points. After Round 2, the Eagles were first on the AFL ladder for the first time since Round 10, 2007. The Eagles then defeated Greater Western Sydney by 81 points before winning an ugly encounter against Hawthorn by five points, in which 37 behinds were scored between the two teams and only five goals apiece.
As of the end of Round 4, 2012, West Coast sit on top of the AFL ladder and are one of three teams (including Sydney and Essendon) to remain undefeated so far in 2012.
Ownership
The West Coast Eagles have been owned in full by the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) since 1989. It was originally owned by Indian Pacific Limited, a publicly listed company that was delisted from the Australian Stock Exchange in 1990 after 75% of the shares were bought out by the WAFC.[28] The last minority shareholders were bought out in 2000. West Coast pay approximately $3 million in rent to the WAFC for the use of Subiaco Oval, and 50–70% of overall profits.[29] In 2011, it was reported that the AFL lobbied to take over the ownership of both the Eagles and the Fremantle Football Club from the WAFC.[30]
Membership and attendance
Number-one ticket-holders | ||
---|---|---|
Years | Name | Occupation |
1993–1994 | Denis McInerney | Car dealer |
1995–1996 | Ernie Dingo | Television personality |
1997–1998 | Geoff Christian | Sports journalist |
1999–2000 | Ray Turner | Businessman |
2001–2002 | Tony Evans | Former footballer |
2003–2004 | Dennis Lillee | Former cricketer |
2005–2006 | Jeff Newman | Television personality |
2007–2008 | Nigel Satterley | Businessman |
2009–2010 | Ross Glendinning | Former footballer |
2011– | Michael Brennan | Former footballer |
The West Coast Eagles currently have 51,091 members.[31] Their 2011 membership of 54,745 was a club record, and the fourth-highest overall in the AFL. Membership numbers are limited by the capacity of Patersons Stadium, which holds 43,500 seats, with 39,000 devoted to club members. In March 2012, The Weekend West reported that the cost of a West Coast Eagles adult club membership was A$283, the most of any club in the AFL.[32] The current waiting list for family memberships is 9,383 people, with a total waiting list in excess of 20,000 people, or around four years.[33]
The number-one ticket holder is a position in most Australian Football League clubs given to a well-known supporter of the club. The West Coast Eagles' website lists "longevity of service", "passion for the club", "contribution to the community of Western Australia", and "the level at which they are recognised in their chosen profession by the community" as criteria for the position.[34] Number-one ticket holders generally serve for two years. The current number-one ticket holder of the club is Michael Brennan, who played 179 games for the club.[35]
In total, 454,601 people attended West Coast Eagles home games in 2011, which equates to an average of 37,883 people per game.[36] The highest-attended home game was against Carlton in the semi-final, which was attended by 42,803 people. The highest attendance for any game featuring West Coast was against Collingwood in the qualifying final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, attended by 67,502 people.[37] In terms of television audience, on average 519,000 people viewed West Coast Eagles games in 2011, with a high of 1,074,000 viewers for the round 16 game against Geelong.[38]
Club symbols
Guernsey manufacturers and sponsors | ||
---|---|---|
Span | Manufacturer | Sponsor(s) |
1987 | Puma | Burswood |
1988–90 | SGIO | |
1991–97 | SGIO and Hungry Jacks | |
1997–98 | SGIO and BGC | |
1998–99 | SGIO and Hungry Jacks | |
2000–02 | SGIO | |
2003–11 | SGIO and Hungry Jacks | |
2012 | SGIO and Bankwest |
West Coast's official colours are navy blue, gold, and white, having previously been royal blue and gold. The club's current logo features a stylised Wedge-tailed Eagle with the words "West Coast Eagles" written underneath. Previous logos have all incorporated a stylised eagle's head. The club's current home guernsey design features a stylised eagle's head taken from the club's logo on a tricolour of navy blue, white and gold.[39]
Puma has manufactured the club's guernseys since their inaugural season in 1987, and is the "official apparel and preferred footwear supplier of the West Coast Eagles".[40] A number of sponsors' logos have featured on West Coast guernseys. The Burswood Entertainment Complex was the original sponsor for the 1987 season, but SGIO (1988 to present), an insurance provider, Hungry Jack's (1991–1999; 2003–2011), a fast food chain; BGC (1997–1998), a construction conglomerate, and Bankwest (2012–present), a bank, have also served as major sponsors.[41] Bankwest replaced Hungry Jack's as the major jumper sponsor for the 2012 season.[42] Hungry Jack's later criticised West Coast for dropping the sponsorship deal after a 25-year partnership.[43]
The club's official team song is "We're the Eagles", composed by Kevin Peek, a former member of the band Sky, and initially recorded at Peek's studio in Roleystone.[44] "Eagle Rock", a 1971 song recorded by Daddy Cool, is traditionally played at home games.[45] As part of the AFL's Mascot Manor program, a club mascot, Rick "The Rock" Eagle, was created in 2003 to promote the club to junior players. The mascot is in part named after the song.[46] A real Wedge-tailed Eagle, Auzzie, occasional performs tricks at home games.[47]
Club awards
AFL Premiers
1992, 1994, 2006
Minor Premiers/McClelland Trophy
1991, 1994, 2006
Club honour board
Note: The Chris Mainwaring Best Clubman Award was created in 2007, after his death. Ashley Hansen won the inaugural award.
Life members
Players who have played 150 games for the club are automatically inducted as life members of the club. Other players, administrators and coaches that have made an outstanding contribution to the club have also been inducted. No life members were inducted in 2001 or 2010. The following players, coaches and administrators are life members of the club:
Year of induction | Inductees |
---|---|
1994 | Michael Brennan, Dwayne Lamb, Chris Lewis, Chris Mainwaring, John Worsfold (all players) |
1995 | David Hart, Guy McKenna (both players) |
1996 | Hank Gloede (property manager), Dean Kemp (player), Bill Sutherland (head trainer) |
1997 | Mick Malthouse (coach), Peter Matera, Peter Sumich, Chris Waterman (all players) |
1998 | Brett Heady, Glen Jakovich, Ashley McIntosh |
1999 | Murray McHenry (chairman) |
2000 | Drew Banfield, Mitchell White (both players) |
2002 | Ross Nicholas (marketing manager), Brian Edwards (manager), Ken Fitch, Rod Moore (both team doctors) |
2003 | Ben Cousins, Don Pyke (both players), Robert Wiley (player and coach) |
2004 | Karl Langdon, Phil Matera (both players), Trevor Nisbett (CEO) |
2005 | Michael Braun, Tony Evans, Peter Wilson (all players) |
2006 | Craig Turley, Ryan Turnbull, David Wirrpanda (all players), David Jones (board member) |
2007 | Chad Fletcher, Rowan Jones (both players, Brian Dawson (coach), Anna Durante (secretary), Tim Gepp (match committee chairman) |
2008 | Dean Cox, Andrew Embley, Darren Glass, Daniel Kerr, Phil Scott (all players) |
2009 | Dalton Gooding (chairman), Nigel Satterley (board member), Adam Hunter, Quinten Lynch (both players) |
2010 | Jeff Newman |
2011 | Adam Selwood (player), Richard Godfrey (Chief Operating Officer), Glenn Stewart (High Performance Manager) |
Source:[48]
Team of the Decade
In 1996 as part of the AFL's centenary celebrations, and the club's 10 year celebrations, the Eagles named a team of the decade.
Backs: | David Hart | Michael Brennan | Ashley McIntosh |
Half Backs: | Guy McKenna | Glen Jakovich | John Worsfold |
Centres: | Peter Matera | Dean Kemp | Chris Mainwaring |
Half Forwards: | Brett Heady | Mitchell White | Craig Turley |
Forwards: | Chris Lewis | Peter Sumich | Tony Evans |
Ruck: | Ryan Turnbull | Don Pyke | Dwayne Lamb |
Interchange: | Chris Waterman | Steve Malaxos | Peter Wilson |
Team 20
In 2006 the West Coast Eagles named a greatest team of the past twenty years as part of the club's twentieth anniversary celebrations:
Backs: | David Wirrpanda | Ashley McIntosh | Michael Brennan |
Half Backs: | Guy McKenna | Glen Jakovich | John Worsfold (Captain) |
Centres: | Peter Matera | Dean Kemp | Chris Mainwaring |
Half Forwards: | Brett Heady | Mitchell White | Chris Lewis |
Forwards: | Phillip Matera | Peter Sumich | Tony Evans |
Ruck: | Dean Cox | Chris Judd | Ben Cousins |
Interchange: | Chris Waterman | Drew Banfield | Don Pyke |
Dwayne Lamb | |||
Coach: | Michael Malthouse |
Individual awards
Hall of Fame inductees
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996:
- Ross Glendinning – 2000
- Peter Matera – 2006
- Dean Kemp – 2007
- Glen Jakovich – 2008
- Guy McKenna – 2009
Brownlow Medal winners
The Brownlow Medal is awarded to the best player in the competition during the home-and-away season as voted by the umpires:
- Winners
- Chris Judd (2004)
- Ben Cousins (2005)
- Runners-up
- Craig Turley – 1991
- Peter Matera – 1994, 1997
- Ben Cousins – 2003 (equal)
- Daniel Kerr – 2005, 2007
AFLPA Awards
The Leigh Matthews Trophy is awarded to the best player in the competition as voted by the AFL Players Association:
- Ben Cousins – 2005
- Chris Judd – 2006
The Best Captain Award is awarded to the best captain as voted by the AFL Players Association:
- Ross Glendinning – 1988
The Best First-Year Player Award is awarded to the best first-year player as voted by the AFL Players Association:
- Daniel Kerr – 2001
- Chris Judd – 2002
Norm Smith Medal winners
The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the player judged best-on-ground in the AFL Grand Final:
- Peter Matera – 1992
- Dean Kemp – 1994
- Chris Judd – 2005 (losing side)
- Andrew Embley – 2006
Coleman Medal winners
The Coleman Medal is awarded to the player who kicks the most goals in the AFL competition during the home-and-away season:
- Scott Cummings (88 goals) – 1999
AFL Rising Star winners
The AFL Rising Star is awarded to the best rookie player in the competition during a particular season:
- Ben Cousins – 1996
Goal of the Year winners
The Goal of the Year is awarded to the player judged to have kicked the best goal during a particular season:
- Ben Cousins – 1999
- Mark Merenda – 2001
- Daniel Kerr – 2003
- Chris Judd – 2005
Mark of the Year winners
The Mark of the Year is awarded to the player judged to have taken the best mark during a particular season:
- Ashley Sampi – 2004
Sandover Medal winners
The Sandover Medal is awarded to the best player in the West Australian Football League:
- Phil Narkle (Swan Districts) – 1982
- Murray Wrensted (East Fremantle Football Club) – 1985
- Ian Dargie (Subiaco) – 1991
- Robbie West (West Perth) – 1992
- Ryan Turnbull (East Perth) – 2001
- Matt Priddis (Subiaco) – 2006
All-Australian selection
The All-Australian team is a representative team consisting of the best players during a particular season. Prior to 1991 it was awarded to the best players in each interstate football carnival.[49]
Year | Eagles players selected |
---|---|
1987 | Phil Narkle |
1988 | Steve Malaxos |
1991 | Guy McKenna, Chris Mainwaring, Peter Matera, Craig Turley |
1992 | Dean Kemp |
1993 | Peter Matera, Guy McKenna |
1994 | Peter Matera, Guy McKenna, David Hart, Glen Jakovich |
1995 | Glen Jakovich |
1996 | Peter Matera, Chris Mainwaring, Mitchell White |
1997 | Peter Matera, Fraser Gehrig |
1998 | Ben Cousins, Ashley McIntosh |
1999 | Ben Cousins |
2001 | Ben Cousins |
2002 | Ben Cousins |
2003 | Michael Gardiner, Phil Matera |
2004 | Chad Fletcher, Chris Judd |
2005 | Ben Cousins, Dean Cox, David Wirrpanda |
2006 | Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, Dean Cox, Darren Glass |
2007 | Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Daniel Kerr |
2008 | Dean Cox |
2010 | Mark LeCras |
2011 | Dean Cox, Darren Glass |
VFL Team of the Year
Prior to 1991 the VFL Team of the Year was announced each year, consisting of the best players during that season in the Victorian Football League.[49]
Year | Eagles players selected |
---|---|
1987 | Ross Glendinning |
1988 | John Worsfold |
1989 | Guy McKenna |
1990 | John Worsfold, Chris Lewis |
Records
Most games: 276 – Glen Jakovich Most goals: 514 – Peter Sumich Highest score: 29.18 (192) vs. Brisbane Bears, 1988, at the WACA Ground Lowest score: 1.12 (18) vs. Essendon, 1989, at Windy Hill Greatest winning margin: 135 points vs. Adelaide, 1995, at Subiaco Oval Greatest losing margin: 142 points vs. Essendon, 1989, at Windy Hill
Players and staff
- See also West Coast Eagles draft history for the complete list of West Coast's draft selections, delistings and trades from 1989 onward
Current squad
Current coaching staff
Coaching staff | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Senior coach | Performance coach (backs) |
Performance coach (forwards) |
Performance coach (midfield) |
Performance coach (strength & conditioning) |
High Performance Manager |
Development coach (backs) |
Development coach (midfield) |
Development coach (forwards) |
Assistant coach (strategy & innovations) |
Officials
- Chairman: Alan Cransberg
- Deputy Chairman: Chris Cronin
- Directors:
- Terry Agnew
- Graeme Yukich
- James McMahon
- Hon. Julie Bishop
- Peter Carter
- Chief Executive Officer: Trevor Nisbett
- Chief Operating Officer: Richard Godfrey
- Chief Financial Officer: Amanda Cox
- General Manager – Football Operations: Neale Daniher
Rivalries
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/The_teams_line_up_for_the_national_anthem%2C_2005_AFL_Grand_Final.jpg/300px-The_teams_line_up_for_the_national_anthem%2C_2005_AFL_Grand_Final.jpg)
The club's strongest rivalry is with the Fremantle Football Club, the only other AFL club based in Western Australia. The two teams play off in the Western Derby twice each home-and-away season. Overall, 34 derbies have been played, with the Eagles winning 20 and Fremantle winning 14.[50] The most recent derby, held on 24 July 2011, resulted in West Coast winning by one point after Hayden Ballantyne of Fremantle missed an kick after the siren.[51] Derbies usually incorporate a sold-out crowd: the average crowd since the first derby was held in 1995 has been 39,887 people, with the average crowd for the past ten games 41,041 people, out of a total ground capacity of 43,600 people.[52]
Other major rivalries include with Essendon,[53] Geelong, and a rivalry with the Sydney Swans, which stems from a series of six matches between 2005 and 2007, including both the 2005 and 2006 Grand Finals, in which the total points difference was 13, the lowest of all-time. This sequence included three one-point matches between the 2006 qualifying final and round one of the 2007 season.[54]
See also
- Australian rules football in Western Australia
- Wikipedia listing of West Coast Eagles players
- List of West Coast Eagles Football Club coaches
- Sport in Australia
- Sport in Western Australia
- Western Derby
Footnotes
- References
- ^ Ground deals key as revenue gap grows – Real Footy. Written by Jake Niall. Published 5 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ Clubs post membership record – afl.com.au. Written by Mark Macgugan. Published 19 July 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ History Time Line West Coast Eagles official website, accessed: 19 July 2010
- ^ EaglesFlyingHigh • Game Statistics
- ^ corkintheocean.com
- ^ EaglesFlyingHigh • Game Statistics
- ^ a b c d Lovett 2010
- ^ EaglesFlyingHigh • Game Statistics
- ^ corkintheocean.com
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ Stateline Western Australia
- ^ Ma
- ^ Footy FAQ: History of the Finals Format | Australian Football Association of North America
- ^ V/AFL Summary Chart
- ^ "Brownlow Medal Winners". AFL Tables. World of Rugby League. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Eagles suspend Gardiner after car crash". The Age. 18 July 2006. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
The AFL career of troubled West Coast star Michael Gardiner looks to be over, after the club suspended him indefinitely over an alcohol-related car crash which police say could have killed him.
- ^ O'Shea, Joe (30 September 2006). "Eagles hold off Swans in thriller". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 11 October 2007.
West Coast won the third AFL title in the club's history with a thrilling one-point victory over Sydney in Saturday afternoon's grand final at the MCG [in] what was the first grand final to be decided by a solitary point since 1966
- ^ Paine, Chris (15 September 2007). "Magpies send Eagles crashing in extra-time thriller". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 11 October 2007.
Collingwood produced a remarkable display of determination under pressure to clinch a thrilling three-goal victory over West Coast in extra-time of their pulsating AFL semi-final clash at Subiaco Oval on Friday evening.
- ^ Timms, Daryl (17 September 2007). "Eagles in shock as Judd quits". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
West Coast said last night it was blindsided by captain Chris Judd's decision to quit the club and return to Victoria.
[dead link] - ^ Warner, Michael (2 October 2007). "Chris Mainwaring's sad end". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
Troubled West Coast star Ben Cousins was at the home of former teammate Chris Mainwaring just hours before Mainwaring collapsed and died early yesterday... [Mainwaring was on a] binge [involving] cannabis and ecstasy, Perth's Channel 9 reported last night.
[dead link] - ^ "Mainwaring battled problems before death". Real Footy (Fairfax Digital). 2 October 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
Former West Coast Eagle Chris Mainwaring was struggling with personal problems... an autopsy will determine whether drugs were involved in [his] death
- ^ Warner, Michael (3 October 2007). "Cousins wanted drug test". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
Troubled West Coast Eagle Ben Cousins volunteered for a drug test hours after the death of best mate Chris Mainwaring
{{cite news}}
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ignored (|author=
suggested) (help)[dead link] - ^ Lowden, David (17 October 2007). "He's gone – Eagles sack Cousins". Herald Sun.
The West Coast Eagles have sacked Ben Cousins. He will face court later this morning on a charge of possessing a prohibited drug.
- ^ "Cousins slapped with 12-month ban". ABC News. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
- ^ "The Eagles and the damage done". The Age. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ White, Simon (12 April 2011). "West Coast told to burger off". The Age. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ Indian Pacific Limited
- ^ Inside Sport
- ^ AFL in power play for Eagles, Dockers licences
- ^ Members' Zone – West Coast Eagles Membership. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ Lacy, Bridget (2012). "High demand drives up membership fees" – The Weekend West, 17–18 March 2012. p. 14. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast Eagles In the Wings Waitlist – The Season Ticket Waiting List Directory. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ No. 1 ticket-holder – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Ross (2011). Brennan named Eagles No1 ticket-holder – The West Australian online. Published 9 March 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast Attendances (1921-2011) – AFLTables. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ Attendances 2011 – AFLTables. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast Eagles corporate advice – Australian Football League. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast (1987–) – FootyJumpers. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Puma – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast sponsors. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ White, Simon (2011). West Coast told to burger off – WAtoday. Published 12 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Quinn, Russell (2011). Anger over house Hungry Jack's built – PerthNow. Published 11 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast Eagles – Aussie Rules International. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Tressler, Rachel (2011). Help us rock 25 years – West Coast Eagles. Published 2 August 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- ^ Mascot For A Day – West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast mascot Auzzie the eagle hammered by crows – PerthNow. Published 27 August 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Club Life Members – Official AFL Website of the West Coast Eagles Football Club
- ^ a b Lovett, Michael, ed. (2010). AFL Record Season Guide 2010. p. 534. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
- ^ West Coast Win-Loss Records – AFLTables. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Quartermaine, Braden (2011). Hayden Ballantyne miss hands one-point victory to West Coast – Herald Sun online. Published 25 July 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ West Coast - All Games - By Opponent – AFLTables. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Quartermaine, Braden (2011). Sheedy urges Essendon to keep the rivalry with West Coast burning – PerthNow. Published 30 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Butler, Steve (2011). Roos predicts rivalry will endure – Brisbane Times online. Published 9 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- Bibliography
- Lovett, Michael (Chief editor) (2010). AFL Record Season Guide. Geoff Slattery Media Group. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
{{cite book}}
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External links
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