Eagles chairman Russell Gibbs backs West Coast to reach AFL grand final

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A PROUD West Coast chairman Russell Gibbs last night backed the Eagles to progress to their seventh grand final, after securing passage to a home preliminary final with a rousing 16-point win over Collingwood in front of a record WA footy crowd.

The Eagles will host either Hawthorn or Melbourne in the second preliminary final at Optus Stadium on Friday September 21 or Saturday September 22.

West Coast progressed to the 1994 grand final and won their second premiership following home finals wins over the Magpies and Demons in a potential omen.

Gibbs said he was in “no doubt” the Eagles could make it back to the big dance three years after the heartbreak of 2015.

“I think we can. I’ve got no doubt we can, the way we played,” he said.

“I think what really struck me was that it was just absolute grit by the boys. They dug deep, they were one man down, and they just kept coming and kept coming.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere. I expected it to be big – that’s the loudest I’ve heard the crowd.

“(A home preliminary final) is really exciting. If you thought it was loud tonight, it’s going to be even louder in the prelim.”

Gibbs refused to give up on defender Brad Sheppard’s season after his hamstring injury in the opening term.

“I spoke to Sheppy after the game and he seemed quite positive and thought a couple of weeks off and he would be right to go,” he said.

“So it was great to hear. We’ve got some great people to fill the role if need be. I’ve got no doubt someone else will come in and do the job.”