West Coast defender Tom Cole reckons it's a bit harsh to say the Eagles are simply making up the numbers as the club attempts to avoid missing the finals for the first time since 2014.
The Eagles are precariously placed in seventh spot with a 10-10 record, and might need to win their final two games of the regular season in order to secure a top-eight berth.
West Coast take on Fremantle at Optus Stadium this Sunday, before facing Brisbane away in their final game.
The Eagles are aiming to make a seventh straight finals series.
But even if West Coast do qualify they've already been written off as a legitimate premiership contender by most pundits.
Cole feels that's a bit unfair, especially given the electric football West Coast produced in the final quarter of Monday night's nine-point loss to Melbourne.
"I think it's pretty harsh. We have confidence in our ability when we play at our best, and we showed that in the fourth quarter," Cole said.
"If we can bring that same mindset and intensity that we did in that last quarter for the rest of the year, then the sky's the limit."
The Eagles have won a derby-record 11 straight games against Fremantle, which has improved the head-to-heard record to 32-20
Cole said the dominant winning run hadn't been spoken about much within the group, with the focus largely centred on making sure the Eagles qualify for finals.
"It's going to be a fight. We're both fighting for a spot in the finals. I'm sure it will be a hot game," he said.
The Eagles could welcome back skipper Luke Shuey (calf), defender Tom Barrass (hamstring), and forward Liam Ryan (hamstring) in what would be a huge triple boost.
Former captain Shannon Hurn goes out with a hamstring injury, while forward Josh Kennedy (knee) is still in some doubt.
Fremantle were dealt a huge blow when star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw failed to overturn his one-match ban at the AFL Tribunal.
Brayshaw joins Nat Fyfe, Rory Lobb, Michael Walters, and Brennan Cox on a star-studded injury list.
The 12th-placed Dockers are 9-11, and will need to beat West Coast and St Kilda to have any chance of sneaking into the finals.
