It's suddenly cool to be old at West Coast, and coach Adam Simpson hopes the approach will lead to a premiership.
The Eagles dropped one of the biggest trade bombshells ever when they landed four-time Hawthorn premiership star Sam Mitchell in October.
And West Coast delivered another surprise when they handed former North Melbourne star Drew Petrie a lifeline via the rookie draft.
Both Petrie and Mitchell are 34.
Petrie is well past his prime, and isn't expected to produce miracles. But he was basically a free hit for the Eagles, and at least provides vital ruck cover while Nic Naitanui recovers from a knee injury.
The bulk of West Coast's best 22 are experienced players.
Simpson is confident the age demographic has put the club in the thick of the premiership hunt.
"Probably the critical mass of our experienced players are pushing towards 30. I don't think it means they're starting to tip over the edge," Simpson says.
"They're experienced players who know what they're doing. They know what success looks like. It's about controlling that, and growing the kids underneath."
Fourth-year coach Simpson is still pinching himself that he was able to snare Mitchell.
The 307-gamer probably only has one or two more seasons left in his ageing legs.
But he could turn out to be the missing piece of the puzzle in West Coast's hunt for premiership success.
And once Mitchell's playing days are over, he'll make the move into West Coast's coaching ranks.
"It's a long-term investment for us," Simpson says.
"As much as we're really pleased to get him as a player, we're just as excited to get him as a coach down the track.
"Hopefully that's in two or three years. He doesn't look like he's slowing up at the moment.
"And we're been really pleased with Drew as well. I know he's getting towards the end of his career, but he's playing a role for us."
The Eagles' midfield has been criticised for being too slow for several seasons now.
On paper, Mitchell will only make them slower.
But in reality, Mitchell's inclusion will probably make the Eagles look a hell of a lot quicker.
Mitchell's ability to win the ball in the clinches and fire out a pinpoint handball is crucial in releasing his teammates.
Simpson is rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of injecting Mitchell into a midfield already containing guns Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey, and Andrew Gaff.
But the big concern for West Coast is their ruck division.
With Naitanui set to miss most - if not all - of the season with a knee injury, much will rest on the shoulders of Scott Lycett.
Jonathan Giles will also be pushing to become the lead ruck option, while Petrie and former Cat Nathan Vardy have been drafted in as cover.
The Eagles possess one of the most potent forward lines, with Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Mark LeCras, and Josh Hill all capable of kicking bags.
And if former Swan Lewis Jetta can fire through the midfield, West Coast could tear teams apart.
The defence is also strong, with All-Australian Jeremy McGovern and emerging star Tom Barrass providing the team with excellent marking capabilities.
But the question remains, can West Coast thrive without Naitanui? Only time will tell on that front.
Share
