Departing West Coast coach Adam Simpson says there's no reason why the club can't follow in the footsteps of Collingwood and enjoy a quick turnaround in fortunes.
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Simpson's 11-year reign as Eagles coach will come to an end in a matter of days, with the club keen for him to lead the side in Sunday's home clash with Brisbane before walking off into the sunset.
When Simpson departs, assistant Jarrad Schofield will take over as coach on an interim basis.
Former Eagles ruckman Dean Cox is the early frontrunner to replace Simpson on a full-time basis, with Schofield, Ash Hansen and Jaymie Graham among the many others who could be in the mix.
West Coast are in the midst of the biggest rebuild in the club's history.
They've hit the draft hard in recent seasons, bringing in the likes of Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Brady Hough, Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Callum Jamieson, Noah Long and Jack Williams.
Although the hardest part of the rebuild has already been done, there's still set to be more pain ahead before the Eagles become a finals force again.
"I feel like whoever the new coach is, the platform is there," Simpson said.
"It just evolves. You don't stay down for too long.
"Whoever goes for this job - I think it's the best club in the league."
The arrival of No.1 draft pick Reid and the return to fitness and form of Elliot Yeo helped breathe new life into West Coast earlier this year.
Upset wins over Richmond, Fremantle and Melbourne had fans believing in an earlier-than-expected rise from the ashes.
But the harsh reality of West Coast's plight has been laid bare during the club's current six-match losing run, which started with a 99-point defeat to Adelaide and more recently involved limp losses to Hawthorn and Melbourne.
West Coast (3-13) are still in danger of collecting their second consecutive wooden spoon.
But after seeing Collingwood's dramatic resurgence under Craig McRae following the exit of coach Nathan Buckley in 2021, Simpson says there's no reason why West Coast's fortunes can't turn around quickly.
"When Bucks left, I'm sure they weren't talking about Collingwood the way they're talking about them now," Simpson said.
"It's a very tight competition. It's never as good or as bad as it seems.
"I've got optimism for our players and what they can do."
On the injury front, West Coast midfielder Hewett has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a new foot injury.
Hewett, who was due to play his first game of the year this weekend, has developed a minor bone stress reaction in his foot.
The Eagles say it's separate to the sesamoid bones area he underwent surgery on in March.
Defender Jeremy McGovern has been ruled out of Sunday's game due to a fractured rib and a punctured lung.
Matt Flynn (ankle) and Dom Sheed (hamstring) are chances to return.
Australian Associated Press
